Editor’s note: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing.
The sudden death of a young Walmart worker has been deemed “not suspicious” by Halifax Regional Police.
Authorities provided the updated statement regarding the October 19 incident, when the 19-year-old staff member was found deceased inside the store’s bakery department walk-in oven.
On November 18, police said its investigation “determined the death is not suspicious and there is no evidence of foul play.”
“Investigators met with family to share this update and extend condolences. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time,” noted the release.
Last month, the Maritime Sikh Society set up a GoFundMe for the victim, who was identified as Gursimran Kaur.
The group described her as a “young, beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams.”
Kaur and her mother had worked at the Halifax Walmart store for two years, stated the Sikh Society.
“That evening, like any watchful mother who breathes for her child’s happiness, Gursimran’s mother tried to locate her after not seeing [her] for one hour,” the fundraiser’s description said.
“She asked around, but everyone brushed [her] aside, thinking that she may be somewhere helping a customer; Walmart is a superstore, after all!”
Kaur’s mother shared that she wasn’t reachable by phone, and she began to panic as it was unusual for the 19-year-old to turn the device off during the day. She contacted the onsite administration for assistance, and Kaur’s charred remains were later found inside the bakery’s walk-in oven.
“This family’s sufferings are unimaginable and indescribable. They need your support to get through this horrific time,” stated the GoFundMe.
The Sikh Society noted that the fundraiser was being organized to help with travel costs. Gursimran’s father and brother lived in India and were trying to get to Canada “as soon as possible” to be with family and mourn their loss.
The fundraiser met its $50,000 goal within hours. However, after raising $194,949, the organizers deactivated it on October 25.
“At this time, we have decided to turn off donations as we begin the process of distributing the funds to the family. Your contributions will help them in their next steps, and we cannot thank you enough for standing with them during this painful period,” said an updated statement from the Sikh Society.
According to the latest statement from Halifax Police, Kaur’s family is requesting the “public to respect their privacy and dignity and memory of their loved one, as they receive this news.”
With files from Imaan Sheikh