TEEN WALMART EMPLOYEE FOUND DEAD IN OVEN

PEOPLE

 

What Happened to Teen Walmart Employee Found Dead in Oven? Police Warn Against Speculation as Investigation Continues

By David Chiu  Published on October 25, 2024 06:51PM EDT

 

As the investigation continues into the death of a teenage Walmart employee, who was found dead in a walk-in oven, police have asked that the public be mindful about what they're saying online, and not share "speculative information."

 

On Sunday, Oct. 19, Halifax Regional Police were summoned to a local Walmart because a "19-year-old woman employed at the store was found deceased."

 

In another update shared on Tuesday, Oct. 22, police announced that the woman “was located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store’s bakery department.”

 

The victim was identified as Gursimran Kaur, an immigrant from India, an official with the Maritime Sikh Society, which set up a GoFundMe on behalf of Kaur’s family, confirmed to PEOPLE.

 

The employee was said to be “locked” inside with the power still on, according to audio of emergency officials responding to the tragedy, which was published by The Daily Mail

 

In an email to PEOPLE on Friday, Oct. 25, Halifax Regional Police Constable Martin Cromwell says that the investigation is "complex" and that police "do not have any updates to provide at this time."

 

Police previously said that the case, which “involves several partner agencies," could "take a significant amount of time."

 

“We urge the public to be mindful of sharing speculative information on social media," police continued. "Please be aware of the impacts that speculation could have on family, colleagues and loved ones of the woman."

 

"Investigators are working closely with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the cause and manner of death," they added.

 

Walmart spokesperson Amanda Ross previously said in a statement that staff was "heartbroken" by Kaur's death.

 

"Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family," said Ross. "Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need. As police have stated, this is a very complex matter and the investigation is ongoing."

 

When reached for comment on Friday, Oct. 25, the spokesperson said that the store "will be closed until further notice."

 

Kaur was remembered as "a young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams," according to the Maritime Sikh Society.

 

In a message shared on the GoFundMe, organizers said that on the evening of Oct. 19, her mother — who started working at the store two years ago — allegedly tried to locate her daughter’s whereabouts, having not seen her for about an hour. SShe tried reaching Kaur by phone, but was unsuccessful.

 

The organization then claimed she discovered her daughter's body.

 

As of Friday, Oct. 25, the campaign generated more than $140,000 ($194,000 Canadian dollars) and has stopped accepting donations.

 

“This family's sufferings are unimaginable and indescribable,” organizers wrote. "They need your support to get through this horrific time.”