In a shocking and tragic incident, a 32-year-old Florida-based physician and mother of two was found deceased inside a commercial freezer at a Dollar Tree store in Miami. The discovery was made a day after she entered the premises, leaving authorities scrambling for answers.
Discovery and Initial Response
The body of the woman, identified as Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, was discovered by a store employee on the morning of Sunday. Miami Police officers were called to the Dollar Tree outlet located on Southwest 8th Street around 8 a.m. after the employee reported finding an unresponsive woman in the freezer, which was situated in an area restricted to staff only. Paramedics who arrived at the scene pronounced her dead. The store remained closed for several hours as police conducted their initial investigation.
Timeline of Events and Surveillance Footage
According to the investigative timeline pieced together by authorities, Garay Sanchez entered the store on Saturday evening, shortly before it closed for the day. Police who reviewed surveillance footage confirmed that she did not make any purchases. The footage further revealed that she subsequently accessed a restricted area not open to the public, where the freezer was located. She remained there overnight, and her body was found the next morning when an employee opened the store for business.
Authorities have stated that, at this preliminary stage, there is no evidence of foul play. Investigators clarified that Garay Sanchez was not forced into the freezer and was not an employee of the Dollar Tree store. Her death has been classified as unclassified pending further examination, and officials have not released any cause of death.
Victim's Background and Ongoing Investigation
Originally from Nicaragua, Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez worked as a physician specialising in anaesthesiology, with a focus on congenital heart disease. A GoFundMe page organised by her family described her as a devoted doctor whose work helped children and families. She was also remembered as a loving mother to her two young children, who reside in Nicaragua.
The investigation into this baffling case continues. Miami Police are reviewing surveillance footage, speaking with witnesses, and examining whether personal or mental health factors may have contributed to the incident. They have promised to release further details as the probe progresses.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help repatriate Garay Sanchez's body to Nicaragua for funeral services. By Monday, the campaign had already raised several thousand dollars to support the grieving family.
