Police release new details on workplace death of 19-year-old at Halifax Walmart

Warning: This story contains distressing details

Halifax Regional Police are releasing more details about the workplace death of a 19-year-old woman at a Walmart on Saturday. 

“The woman, who was an employee of the store, was located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store’s bakery department,” police said in a news release on Tuesday afternoon. 

Police added that the investigation has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed. They have not released her name. 

Police said they were called to the Mumford Road store on Saturday night around 9:30 p.m. local time and found the woman, who had been working that day, deceased when they arrived.

On Tuesday, the parking lot outside the store was mostly empty as police continued to investigate on scene. 

In a statement, a spokesperson from Walmart said the store is “temporarily closed as we co-operate fully with the investigation.”

The company said it was providing access to 24/7 virtual care to employees and providing on-site support, including grief counselling. 

The provincial Department of Labour said in a statement to CBC News that a stop-work order was issued on Tuesday for the bakery and one piece of equipment at the store.

Tribute outside store

Some Halifax residents left flowers and notes in front of the Walmart in memory of the late employee.

On Sunday, Satnam Singh Randhawa, chair of the Maritime Sikh Society board, said the woman was a member of the local Sikh community.

“It’s pretty distressing, you know, young people come here with all kinds of hopes and dreams and they’re working hard and then this is what happens,” he said. 

Investigators are working closely with the Labour Department and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner, police said. They have not said if the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were criminal in nature.

“The investigation is complex,” said Const. Martin Cromwell on Monday. “We just want to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there is family members and co-workers involved.”