A Walmart store’s walk-in oven where a 19 year-old woman died in horrific circumstances was not lockable, sources claim.
Canada’s national broadcaster CBC News said their sources had told them the appliance at the Halifax store ‘did not lock.’
That raises disturbing new questions about the October 19 death, with previous reports highlighting a 911 call that said the woman was trapped in the oven.
The victim, who has not been named, emigrated from India to Canada around three years ago. Police continue to investigate, but there is not yet any suggestion the woman fell victim to foul play.
Mourners have been arriving at the superstore in droves since the tragedy, laying flowers and paying tribute to the victim and her family
Mourners have been arriving at the superstore in droves since the tragedy, laying flowers and paying tribute to the victim and her family.
Conspiracy theories about what happened to her have swept the internet, alongside unverified reports of her identity.
But investigators have urged people not to speculate, while the victim’s family have asked for privacy.
The young woman had only arrived in Canada within the last three years and had formed close bonds with the Maritime Sikh Society.
‘It’s pretty distressing given young people come here with hopes and dreams,’ board member Satnam Singh Randhawa said.
‘They’re working hard and this is what happens.’
Singh expects a religious service to be held in Halifax after the woman’s body is released by the medical examiner, who is still determining her official cause of death. An altar at the victim’s temple is pictured
The oven was industrial and large enough for a person to step inside.
Police told the publication that the young woman had been working the day of the tragedy. Officers are no longer on the scene, but an investigation is still ongoing.
The Nova Scotia Department of Labour has since issued a ‘stop work order’ for the bakery itself, as well as one piece of Walmart equipment. They have not specified which piece of equipment is under that order.
Balbir Singh, secretary of the Maritime Sikh Society, said the victim’s mother is also in Canada, and is receiving ‘psychological counselling.’
‘Efforts are underway to bring other immediate family members from India,’ he said.
Singh expects a religious service to be held in Halifax after the woman’s body is released by the medical examiner, who is still determining her official cause of death.
Distressing audio of the emergency services dispatch call has since been released, detailing the unfolding tragedy to first responders.
The dispatch officer said there was a ‘female locked in an oven in the bakery.’
‘Oven is on. Unsure if staff are able to turn it off.’
Police told the publication that the young woman had been working the day of the tragedy. Officers are no longer on the scene, but an investigation is still ongoing
The teenager was working at the Halifax store in Nova Scotia when she became trapped inside a walk-in oven in the bakery on Saturday night
By the time first responders arrived on the scene, they told dispatch the woman ‘was out of the oven.’
She died at the scene.
Martin Cromwell, a police officer in Halifax, described the investigation was ‘complex.’
He said: ‘We understand the public is involved, and we just wanted to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there are family members and coworkers involved.’
Walmart Canada said they were ‘heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family. We extend our sincerest condolences to those who were closest to them.’
Staff rostered on to work this week will still be paid despite store closures. The store will remain closed until further notice.
A dispatch officer described the unfolding tragedy to first responders, revealing there was a ‘female locked in an oven in the bakery.’
The statement continued: ‘We’re also supporting our associates during this incredibly difficult time and have provided access to 24/7 virtual care and will provide on-site support, including grief counselling.’
Halifax Regional Police said: ‘On October 19 at approximately 9:30 pm police were called to a sudden death at Walmart located at 6990 Mumford Road. A 19-year-old woman employed at the store was found deceased.
‘Investigators are working closely with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the cause and manner of death.
‘The investigation is in the early stages no further details are available at this time.’
