In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old Walmart employee was discovered dead inside a walk-in bakery oven at the store’s Halifax, Nova Scotia location. The occurrence led to a convoluted investigation involving several agencies and the temporary shutdown of the store.
Local authorities were called to the Mumford Road Walmart around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 19, following reports of an unexpected death.
The deceased, later identified as 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, was found by her mother, also an employee at Walmart, who was worried after being unable to reach her on the phone during her shift. She went to the bakery section, opened the oven doors and found her daughter’s charred remains.
Kaur, a member of the local Sikh community, had moved to Canada from the UK with her mother two to three years ago, according to the Maritime Sikh Society. The Society is currently arranging the travel of immediate family members from India to Canada.
The Halifax Regional Police, in a press release, explained, “The investigation is complex and involves several partner agencies. An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time.”
The Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration of Nova Scotia has issued a stop-work order for the store’s bakery and one piece of equipment. The comprehensive investigation includes cooperation with Occupational Health and Safety as well as the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to ascertain the cause and manner of death.
A spokesperson for Walmart commented on the tragedy, expressing the company’s heartbreak and assuring that its “deepest thoughts are with our associates and their families.” The spokesperson added that the company’s priority is providing support to its associates.
The store has been closed for four days to facilitate the ongoing investigation. Walmart is providing on-site support for its employees, including grief counseling and access to virtual care services.
Walk-in ovens, typically used in large-scale baking operations, often require special product-handling equipment. Despite their “walk-in” designation, these ovens may not provide sufficient space for safe entry when filled with equipment and baked goods.
In response to the tragedy, the community initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs and facilitate the travel of family members to the US for final rites. The fundraiser surpassed its original target of $50,000 within ten hours, raising approximately $130,000.
