Investigation into Tragic Incident
Halifax Regional Police have provided new details regarding the workplace death of a 19-year-old woman at a Walmart on Saturday. The victim, an employee of the store, was discovered in a large oven in the bakery department. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not yet confirmed the cause or manner of death, and the victim’s name has not been released.
Police were alerted to the incident at the Mumford Road store around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Upon arrival, they found the young woman, who had been working that day, deceased.
Details Surrounding the Oven
Sources indicate that the oven involved in the incident is a commercial model that does not lock and is large enough for a person to enter. The specifics of how the woman ended up in the oven remain unclear as investigators continue their work.
Store Closure and Employee Support
As the investigation proceeds, the Walmart location has remained closed for four days, resulting in a mostly empty parking lot on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Walmart confirmed the temporary closure, stating that the store is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Employees will continue to receive pay for scheduled shifts during the closure, and alternative work arrangements will be considered if the closure extends longer than expected.
The company is also providing 24/7 virtual care and grief counseling to employees at an off-site location.
Provincial Actions
In a statement, the provincial Department of Labour announced that a stop-work order was issued for the bakery and one piece of equipment at the store, indicating a formal response to the incident.
Community Tributes
In remembrance of the deceased employee, residents of Halifax have begun leaving flowers and notes outside the Walmart. Balbir Singh, the secretary of the Maritime Sikh Society, shared that the society has been in contact with the victim’s mother. Both mother and daughter are originally from India and had moved to Canada two to three years prior.
Singh expressed the community’s deep distress over the incident, describing it as tragic and emphasizing a collective desire to understand the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death. Psychological counseling is being offered to her mother, and efforts are underway to bring other family members from India. Once the medical examiner releases the body, a religious service will be held in Halifax.
Walmart employee death: Mother was one to find woman dead in oven, Sikh society says
Calls for Clarity
Singh highlighted the need for clarity regarding the situation, expressing frustration over the spread of rumors on social media. He stated that the public deserves accurate information from the police to dispel confusion.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are collaborating closely with the Department of Labour and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner as they continue their investigation. Although the specifics surrounding the woman’s death have not been declared criminal in nature, investigators are taking a comprehensive approach. Constable Martin Cromwell urged the public to be patient, reminding everyone that family members and co-workers are deeply affected by this incident.
