Investigation Underway After Teenage Walmart Worker Found Dead in Industrial Oven

A 19-year-old Walmart employee was found dead inside a walk-in oven in the bakery department of a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, over the weekend.

The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation by Halifax Regional Police, the Occupational Health and Safety division, and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.

Police were called to the Walmart on Mumford Road around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, where the young woman was discovered in the large industrial oven. Her identity has not been publicly released, but local reports from the Maritime Sikh Society confirm that she was a member of the Sikh community who had recently moved to Nova Scotia.

The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, and authorities have described the investigation as “complex.” They have not yet determined the cause or manner of her death, and they caution that the process may take considerable time.

In response to the tragedy, Walmart closed the store “until further notice” and is providing grief counseling to employees.

“Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family,” said Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss in a statement.

The company is committed to supporting its staff during this difficult time.

Police have urged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident, emphasizing the emotional impact such rumors could have on the victim’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Local labor authorities have issued a stop-work order for the bakery and specific equipment within the store as part of the ongoing safety review.

Community members, shocked by the incident, have set up a memorial outside the store to honor the young woman. Satnam Singh Randhawa, a leader in the Maritime Sikh Society, expressed sorrow over the loss, noting the hopes and dreams many young immigrants bring with them, only to face such a tragic outcome.

As the investigation continues, Walmart has reiterated its commitment to the safety of its employees and pledged full cooperation with the authorities.

Independent, the Washington Post, and Fortune contributed to this report.