19-year-old Walmart employee found dead in walk-in store oven in Canada

Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old Walmart employee who was found in the store's walk-in oven in Canada on Saturday.

Halifax Regional Police in Nova Scotia were called to the Walmart at 6990 Mumford Rd. at 9:30 p.m. and found the young woman dead.

The woman “was found in a large walk-in oven that was part of the bakery section of the store,” police said in an update Tuesday.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and that the cause and manner of death have not yet been confirmed.

Investigators are working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service on the case.

Officials have not said whether the circumstances of the woman's death were criminal in nature.

The Maritime Sikh Society in Halifax told CBC News that it is in contact with the victim's mother, noting that the mother and her daughter were originally from India and moved to Canada two to three years ago.

“It's a really tragic incident and everyone is deeply hurt by it and we are awaiting the police investigation,” Balbir Singh told CBC News. “We would like to know what happened to this young woman.”

Walmart has closed the store until further notice.

“We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our employee and his family. Our focus remains on looking after our employees and ensuring they receive the support they need,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “As police have advised, this is a very complex matter and investigations are ongoing.”

The company offers virtual care and on-site support to store associates, including grief counseling.

Nova Scotia's Ministry of Labour, Skills and Immigration said it issued a stop-work order on Tuesday for the bakery and a piece of equipment at the store.

“Please note that workplace investigations are complex and can take time,” a department spokesperson said.