Halifax, Nova Scotia — Canadian authorities are investigating the tragic death of a 19-year-old Walmart employee who was found deceased inside a store’s walk-in bakery oven in Halifax.
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Halifax Regional Police responded to a call at the Walmart location on Saturday night after the employee was discovered in the bakery department’s large walk-in oven, officials said in an update on Tuesday.
“The woman, who was an employee of the store, was located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store’s bakery department,” police confirmed in their statement.
Authorities have launched a joint investigation with the Occupational Health and Safety division and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. As of Tuesday, the cause and manner of death have not been established, with police describing the case as “complex.”
“An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time,” police added.
The Walmart store has been closed until further notice amid the ongoing investigation. A spokesperson for Walmart expressed the company’s sorrow over the incident.
“We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family,” said Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss in a statement to media. “Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need.”
Walmart is offering on-site support services for employees, including grief counseling and access to virtual care, according to the company’s statement to CTV News.
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The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration issued a stop-work order on Tuesday for the bakery and a piece of equipment at the store.
“As this is an active investigation, we cannot release further details at this time,” the department said in a statement, emphasizing that workplace investigations “are complex and can take time.”
