Police investigating the death of a female Walmart employee in Halifax over the weekend revealed Tuesday that the 19-year-old was found inside a walk-in oven in the store’s bakery.
Still, a press release from Halifax Regional Police (HRP) noted “that the investigation has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed.”
Officers were called to the west-end department store around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on reports of a sudden death.
Police said the complex investigation involving partner agencies, including Occupation Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, could take considerable time to complete.
In the meantime, HRP is urging the public to avoid social media conjecture.
“Please be aware of the impacts that speculation could have on family, colleagues and loved ones of the woman,” HRP stated in its most recent release.
As reported by CTV, the woman is a member of the Maritime Sikh Society and a relatively new arrival to Canada, having immigrated within the last few years.
In an interview with Global News, Society member Anmol Preet Singh said the community is deeply saddened by the woman’s death.
“There should be safety procedures we should follow. I mean, you have heard,” he said to the reporter, “it was brutal.”
The store has remained closed since the incident and Walmart, in an emailed response to Postmedia’s Chronicle Herald in Halifax, extended condolences to everyone affected.
“We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family,” wrote communications manager Amanda Moss.
“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.”
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.