Highlights
- 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur found dead in a Walmart bakery oven in Canada.
- Kaur’s mother discovered the tragedy after failing to locate her daughter for an hour.
- Police are investigating the incident with caution against social media speculation.
- The Maritime Sikh Society has raised over $188,000 to support Kaur’s family.
- Walmart Canada offers grief counselling and continued pay to employees during the store closure.
- Authorities have issued a stop-work order for bakery operations and equipment.
- Gursimran Kaur moved from the UK to Canada with her mother and was working at Walmart for two years.
19-year-old Gursimran Kaur was tragically found dead inside a walk-in oven at a Walmart bakery in Canada.
Originally from the UK, Kaur moved to Canada with her mother, pursuing dreams of a better life. Both mother and daughter were working at Walmart for the past two years.
Mother’s Search Ends in Tragedy
On the evening of the incident, Kaur’s mother grew worried after not seeing her daughter for about an hour. She approached staff members to ask about her daughter’s whereabouts, but most assumed that Kaur was helping a customer, as Walmart is a huge store.
However, when her phone remained unreachable, the worried mother continued her search, leading to the tragic discovery of Gursimran’s body inside the bakery’s walk-in oven.
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) confirmed the incident and urged the public to avoid spreading speculative information.
Police, along with the province’s Labour Department and medical examiners, are actively investigating the circumstances of Kaur’s death to determine its cause and manner.
The department has also issued a stop-work order for the bakery and some equipment at the Walmart store.
Community Rallies Around Family
The tragic loss has deeply affected the community. The Maritime Sikh Society has stepped in to arrange psychological counseling for those impacted by the incident. They have also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Kaur’s family.
As of Friday, the campaign has raised nearly $189,000, far surpassing its initial goal of $50,000 within just 10 hours.
The funds aim to cover funeral expenses and to bring Gursimran’s father and brother from India to Canada for her last rites.
Describing the family’s plight, the GoFundMe page expressed how unimaginable and indescribable their suffering is during this horrific time.
Walmart Offers Support
Following the incident, Walmart Canada expressed its heartbreak over the tragedy. The company has offered virtual care and grief counseling to its staff, and they assured that employees will continue to be paid during the store’s closure.
If the closure extends, Walmart has stated they will look into alternative work arrangements for its employees.
Walk-in ovens, commonly used in large-scale bakeries, are designed to dry, bake, or cure in batches using wheeled racks. Authorities are carefully examining the equipment as part of their investigation.
Investigation Continues
First responders arrived at the Walmart around 9:30 pm last Saturday, following a report of a “sudden death.” Since then, the store has been closed.
Police are emphasizing caution against spreading rumors on social media, as the case has gained significant national and international attention.
