Authorities are looking for answers after a 19-year-old Walmart employee was found dead Saturday evening inside a walk-in oven at a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, according to Halifax Regional Police.
Identified by the Maritime Sikh Society, 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur was found dead in the bakery department of a Walmart located at 6990 Mumford Road, police said.
According to details shared on a GoFundMe page to support those impacted by the loss, the teenagers death has been devastating for her family, who are originally from India. Both Kaur and her mother worked at Walmart for two years, the Maritime Sikh Society said, noting they had received the family’s permission to share details of the incident.
They said on the night of her death, Kaur’s mother became concerned when she couldn’t find Kaur after an hour and she wasn’t answering her phone, which was unusual during work hours. After someone pointed it out to her, her mother was the first to open the oven door and find her daughters charred remains, they said.
Kaur’s death is under investigation by Halifax Regional Police, 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 is “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.
To support the family, the Maritime Sikh Society’s created the GoFundMe campaign which has successfully raised over $150,000 CAD, exceeding its original goal of $50,000 CAD within 10 hours.
They said in a statement on 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. They also noted that the entirety of the funds will directly benefit Kaur’s family.
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