Canadian police are investigating the death of a teenage Walmart employee who was found inside a store’s bakery oven.
Authorities received a call on Saturday, October 19, reporting the tragedy, which prompted an evacuation of the store in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Following initial reports, the deceased was identified as 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, an immigrant from India who ‘came to Canada with big dreams.’
Amid the investigation, devastating details have emerged.
According to a GoFundMe launched by the Maritime Sikh Society, which the teen was closely linked to, she worked at the store for two years alongside her mother.
On the night of October 19, Kaur’s mom reportedly tried to find her daughter after she had not seen her for an hour.
She is said to have grown concerned when the 19-year-old’s phone became unreachable, as the GoFundMe organizers say it was unusual for Kaur to have it turned off during the day.
The organization alleges the teenager was then discovered by her mother.
Audio published by the Daily Mail reveals emergency officials responding to the tragedy and a dispatcher describing the incident as a ‘technical rescue call.’
The dispatcher says: “Female is locked in an oven in the bakery, oven is on, unsure if the staff are able to turn it off.”
Later, another first responder asks: “The person trapped in the – on their – do we have the powers off for that, does the staff want to turn the power off?… In case we do make contact.”
Shortly after, an official said ‘the person was out of the oven upon arrival’ and regional police were dealing with the matter.
Harjit Seyan, president of Canada’s Maritime Sikh Society, tells Global News the community has been supporting Kaur’s family following the tragedy.
“The immediate family is absolutely shocked,” Seyan says. “They are in a kind of a trauma. We are really sorry to hear of such a tragic event.”
The GoFundMe states Kaur’s father and brother, who remain in India, are trying to fly out to Canada following the devastating news.
Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss said in a statement to ABC News: “We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family.
“Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need.”
Moss added the store is offering employees on-site support, including grief counseling, and access to virtual care.
Investigators have also issued an update on the case, urging the public ‘to be mindful of sharing speculative information on social media.’
It reads: “The woman, who was an employee of the store, was located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store’s bakery department.
“It is important to note that the investigation has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed.
“The investigation is complex and involves several partner agencies. An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time.”
