Police release new details in the workplace death of a 19-year-old at the Halifax Walmart

Warning: This story contains disturbing details

Halifax Regional Police are releasing more details Saturday in the workplace death of a 19-year-old woman at a Walmart.

The woman, an employee of the store, was found in a large oven in the bakery section of the store, police said in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

Police added that the investigation had not yet progressed to the point where the cause and manner of death had been confirmed. They have not published her name.

Police said they were called to the Mumford Road store at around 9.30pm local time on Saturday evening and found the woman, who had been working that day, deceased when they arrived.

Sources tell CBC News that the oven at the bakery doesn't lock. The oven is a commercial model that is large enough for one person to climb into.

On Wednesday, the parking lot in front of the store was mostly empty as the store remained closed for a fourth day. Police told reporters Tuesday afternoon that they were no longer at the scene.

Employees continue to be paid

In a statement, a Walmart spokesman said the store was “temporarily closed as we cooperate fully with the investigation.”

Amanda Moss said employees will continue to be paid for the shifts they are required to work while the store is closed.

“We will consider alternative work arrangements if the store remains closed longer than expected,” Moss wrote in an email.

She did not want to provide any information about the expected duration of the closure.

The company said it is offering its employees 24/7 access to virtual care and offering support, including grief counseling, at an off-site location.

The provincial labor ministry said in a statement to CBC News that a stop-work order was issued on Tuesday for the bakery and a piece of equipment in the store.

Tribute in front of the store

Some Halifax residents left flowers and notes outside the Walmart in memory of the late employee.

Balbir Singh, secretary of the Maritime Sikh Society, said Tuesday that the society contacted the 19-year-old victim's mother and learned that the woman and her mother are originally from India and came to Canada two to three years ago years ago.

He said the local Sikh community was deeply saddened by her death.

“It is a truly tragic incident and everyone is deeply hurt and we are awaiting the police investigation,” Singh said. “We would like to know what happened to this young woman.”

He added that psychological counseling was being provided to the mother and efforts were being made to bring other immediate family members from India. Singh said a service would be held in Halifax after the coroner released the body.

Singh said it was up to police and occupational health investigators to make it clear to the public what happened.

“It’s all rumors on social media,” he said. “We don't know the details… there should be something from the police to put an end to all the rumours.”

Investigators worked closely with the Ministry of Labor and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner, police said. They did not say whether the circumstances of the woman's death were criminal in nature.

“The investigation is complex,” said Const. Martin Cromwell on Monday. “We would just encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and to ensure that family members and colleagues are involved.”