Teenager Working in Walmart Found Dead Inside Walk-in Bakery Oven, Police Says

A 19-year-old teenager who was working at a Walmart store in Canada was found dead inside a "large walk-in bakery oven." Police are now investigating her death.

Authorities responded to a Walmart in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when they received a 911 call around 9:30 p.m. local time last Saturday, Oct. 19. A dispatch officer told first responders that a "female" was locked in an oven at the store's bakery section.

"Oven is on. Unsure if staff are able to turn it off," the dispatch officer added, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

How Did the Teenager Die?

As of Wednesday, the Halifax Regional Police is still conducting an investigation into the teen's "sudden death." They added they were working with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the 19-year-old's cause and manner of death.

Police confirmed that she was found in a large walk-in oven belonging to Walmart's bakery department. However, sources who spoke with CBC News claimed the oven does not lock.

Parent Herald cannot independently verify the claim.

It was not immediately clear if the police were eyeing the case as a potential criminal incident. It is also unclear how long the police investigation would take. However, Halifax Regional Police noted that the probe may take a "significant amount of time" and involve "several partner agencies" due to its complex nature.

Canada's Department of Labor, Skills, and Immigration has since issued a stop-work order for the Walmart bakery and "one piece of equipment," as reported by CTV News. Neither authorities nor Walmart's officials have said when the store is expected to reopen.

All employees are being offered virtual care and grief counseling services following the tragic incident.

What Is Known About the Victim?

The 19-year-old only arrived in Canada with her mother within the last three years. The pair were originally from India. The 19-year-old was confirmed to be a member of the local Sikh community.

Balbir Singh, the secretary of the Maritime Sikh Society in Halifax, said they have contacted the teen's mother.

"It's a really tragic incident and everybody is deeply hurt by this, and we are waiting for the police investigation to come out," Singh said.