Questions remain following the death of a 32-year-old woman found inside a Florida Dollar Store freezer on Sunday.
The woman was identified as Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, a mother and an anesthesiologist from Nicaragua. According to the Miami Herald, the Miami Police Department has classified Garay Sanchez as an “unclassified death” and awaits the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s report.
Here’s what we know as of Dec. 18.
Where is Little Havana in Florida? Where Dollar Tree was located
The Dollar Tree was located at 968 SW Eighth St.in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. It is located just west of downtown Miami.
What happened to Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez on Dec. 14?
Garay Sanchez was visiting her father in Miami, according to a GoFundMe page organized after her death.
According to the police, Garay Sanchez walked into the store Saturday night, Dec. 13, before it closed. Video footage shows that she didn’t purchase anything and walked into the back storage area, where she was found the following morning.
A Dollar Tree employee contacted Miami police at about 8 a.m. on Sunday and said the body of the deceased woman was found inside the store. The department described the area she was found in as a freezer or cooler.
Police later identified the woman as Garay Sanchez.
Has a manner and cause of death been determined?
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department told USA TODAY on Tuesday, Dec. 16, that a manner and cause of death have not been determined for Garay Sanchez.
Garay Sanchez’s death is being investigated. Foul play is not suspected, but the department told USA TODAY it is still investigating.
Has Dollar Tree addressed the incident?
According to USA TODAY, Dollar Tree declined to answer its questions and confirm the woman’s connection to the store. It said in a statement to the outlet on Tuesday, Dec. 16, that the company’s “thoughts are with the individual’s family and loved ones.”
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities at this time,” the statement read.
GoFundMe set up for Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez
Stefany Pereira started a GoFundMe to raise money to get Garay Sanchez back home. Garay Sanchez was a mother of two and an anesthesiologist specializing in congenital heart disease, the fundraiser says.
Pereira said the deceased woman’s family wants to send her off properly. As of Thursday, Dec. 18, the fundraiser has collected nearly $18,000 toward its $20,000 goal. The funds will cover repatriation, transportation and funeral services in Nicaragua.
“Her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will always be remembered,” the page said.
