A Walmart employee, aged 19, was discovered dead in a walk-in baking oven at a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, leading to a multi-agency investigation and temporary shutdown of the store.
Local police were alerted to the sudden death at the Walmart store on Mumford Road on the evening of October 19 at around 9:30 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers uncovered the young woman’s body in a large walk-in oven in the store’s bakery section.
The deceased has been identified as Gursimran Kaur, aged 19. Her mother, who also works at the Walmart, searched for more than an hour before discovering her daughter’s burnt body.
According to the Maritime Sikh Society, Kaur, who was a part of the local Sikh community, had moved to Canada from the UK with her mother between two and three years ago.
The Halifax Regional Police stated in a press release that the investigation is complex, involving several partner agencies, and could take a considerable amount of time.
The Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration of Nova Scotia has directed a halt to work in the bakery and on one piece of equipment at the store. The investigation includes collaboration with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to ascertain the cause and manner of death.
Addressing the incident, a Walmart spokesperson expressed that the company is “heartbroken” and its “deepest thoughts are with our associates and their families.” The company also emphasized its commitment to providing necessary support to its associates.
Walmart is providing on-site support to its employees, including access to grief counseling and virtual care services.
Large walk-in ovens, frequently used in industrial baking, are often operated with specific product-handling equipment. Although these ovens are categorized as “walk-in,” some models may not offer sufficient space for easy access when filled with equipment and baked goods.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by the community to cover funeral expenses and to facilitate travel for family members from India to the US for final ceremonies. The campaign reached its goal of $50,000 in just 10 hours and has since raised approximately $130,000.