Editor’s note: Warning, graphic descriptions
As part of an appeal to support her family, the identity of a female Halifax Walmart bakery worker who died in a walk-in oven on Saturday night has been released publicly.
The victim is 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, as named in a GoFundMe initiated by the Maritime Sikh Society (MSS) in Halifax, a group which counted Kaur and her mother as members. The fundraiser’s legitimacy was confirmed by the National Post via an email from the organization.
“A young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams,” reads the fundraising plea.
The MSS also shared purported details about the manner of Kaur’s death in the industrial oven, noting they were “provided and consented by the family.” The National Post has contacted the MSS for more information about the drive.
‘Brutal’: New details emerge after body of woman found in Halifax Walmart
It’s alleged Kaur’s mother, also on shift that night, hadn’t seen her daughter for an hour and could not find her in the store or reach her by phone.
She then reportedly asked store administration for assistance.
“As you all know now, her charred remains were found inside the walk in oven in the Bakery after a few hours,” the MSS wrote, noting it was her mother who opened the oven’s door.
Just a day earlier, society secretary Balbir Singh told The Canadian Press that the grieving community was eager to know what happened.
“It’s all rumours on social media,” he said. “We don’t know the details … there should be something from the police that puts an end to all the rumours.”
Halifax Regional Police, meanwhile, have not named the victim and have so far only said that a 19-year-old woman was located inside the industrial oven when officers were dispatched to a sudden death around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
As of Tuesday, their investigation “has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed.”
A recording of the Halifax Regional Fire Department 911 dispatch centre communicating with firefighters began circulating on social media after the incident and was picked up by The Daily Mail.
In it, a dispatcher says a female is locked inside an active oven and staff are unable to turn it off.
A responding firefighter asks if power to the device can shut off and if staff know how to do so.
“If we do make contact, I guess we’ll have to shut the power off,” he finishes.
Another firefighter then chimes in to report that “the person was out of the oven upon arrival” and responding firefighters were working with the regional police.
‘Family’s sufferings are unimaginable and indescribable’
As of mid-morning Thursday, the fundraising campaign hit $80,000 and counting, surpassing its $50,000 goal within the first 10 hours.
“We are receiving calls and messages from all over the world from people wanting to help. Respecting everyone’s sentiment, we will keep the fundraiser open for now.”
MSS will use some of the money raised to quickly arrange for Kaur’s father and brother to travel to Canada from India.
“This family’s sufferings are unimaginable and indescribable. They need your support to get through this horrific time. Please donate to help this family in this difficult time.”
The Walmart location remains closed while the investigation continues, but residents have set up a small memorial outside.
Among the people who visited and added to the growing collection of flowers, prayer candles and messages, was a Sikh woman who didn’t know Kaur, but felt connected to her nonetheless.
“We can feel it,” the woman, who asked not to be identified, told The Canadian Press. She is so much like us. She is very young. She is like a sister. She is just working at a bread place. She was just doing her job.”
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