Thanks for the information. Wow, I can see an intoxicated person going into the garbage room by mistake.This seems like the normal size and look for the chutes in the buildings my friends and family live in NYC (with the exception of the red light on the top). I
Along with the chute, the garbage room might contain a few recycling bins too and be a bit spacious. The doors aren’t usually locked so that it is easier for people to carry their heavy bags into the room without much struggle.
In this scenario the supporting circumstances could be: Resident sees an intoxicated and bathroom desperate young woman outside. So, they open the main door for her to use the lobby restroom. She then goes into the trash room by mistake.
I just cant see how the person then climbs into the garbage chute- especially when she lives in NYC, very likely has at least some experience with them and knows what they are for. I guess we need to trust the police in regards to her not being victimized by somebody. The totality, however, just seems very strange.