The Maritime Sikh Society’s GoFundMe campaign has successfully raised over $150,000 CAD, exceeding its original goal of $50,000 CAD within 10 hours, to support the family of the 19-year-old Walmart employee whose charred remains were discovered at the store Saturday evening.
Identified by the Sikh Society, Gursimran Kaur, 19, was found deceased in a walk-in oven at the Walmart bakery located at 6990 Mumford Road, according to the Halifax Regional Police.
The Maritime Sikh Society, which organized the fundraiser, said in a statement on their GoFundMe page they were thankful for all the support given.
“Thank you everyone for the outpouring of support, target was achieved within 10 hours. We are receiving calls and messages from all over the world from people wanting to help,” they said in an update today. The society also noted that the entirety of the funds will directly benefit Kaur’s bereaved family.
Kaur’s death is currently under investigation by Halifax Regional Police, who are working in collaboration with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, according to an Oct. 21 press release. The police have not yet confirmed the cause and manner of death as the investigation “complex and involves several partner agencies,” they said in an update on Oct. 22.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from spreading speculation on social media.
“Please be aware of the impacts that speculation could have on family, colleagues and loved ones of the woman,” they said in the latest update.
On Oct. 19, around 9:30 p.m. (ADT), police were called to investigate the sudden death. The investigation is described as complex and may take a significant amount of time.
According to the Sikh Society, Kaur’s untimely death has deeply affected her family, who are originally from India. Both Kaur and her mother worked at Walmart for two years. On the night of her death, Kaur’s mother became concerned when she couldn’t find her daughter after an hour. After asking around, she was initially told that Kaur might be busy helping customers, but grew worried after Kaur wasn’t returning her calls, which was unusual during working hours.
It was Kaur’s mother who was first to find the remains inside the oven after someone pointed it out to her, the society said, noting they had received consent from her family to share the details.
They said efforts are being made to bring Kaur’s father and brother from India to Canada as soon as possible to be with their grieving family.
Sarah MacNeil, communications adviser for the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, confirmed in an email to NTD that a stop-work order was issued on Oct. 22 for the bakery and one piece of equipment at the Walmart location where Kaur worked. “Our sympathies go out to the family, and we extend our sincere condolences to them as they mourn their loss,” MacNeil stated.