A tragic incident unfolded at a Walmart store in Nova Scotia, Canada, where a 19-year-old employee was discovered dead inside a large walk-in oven in the store’s bakery section, as reported by the Halifax Regional Police Department. The cause and circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be established, with the police emphasizing that the investigation is in progress and could take a considerable amount of time.
The police have not disclosed any information about whether the incident is being considered as a potential crime. The identity of the deceased employee has also been withheld. However, local community leaders have shared that the young woman was a part of the local Sikh community and had migrated to Canada from India a few years prior.
Walmart has pledged its full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation. The company has refrained from providing any additional information, citing respect for the deceased employee and her family. The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration in Canada has issued a stop-work order for the bakery and a specific piece of equipment, as reported by CTV News.
The department has not divulged any further details about the investigation, citing its active status. They also noted that workplace investigations are often complex and can take a significant amount of time. As of Tuesday, the Walmart store where the incident occurred remained closed, with no information available about when it might reopen.
Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss told CBC that the company is providing support to its staff members, including access to virtual and on-site grief counseling. “We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family,” Moss said in a statement. “We extend our sincerest condolences to those who were closest to them.”
The Halifax Regional Police Department has urged the public to refrain from sharing speculative information on social media, highlighting the potential impact on the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased woman.