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$50 Million Suit Accuses Dollar Tree of Negligence in Miami Freezer Death

Family alleges missing safety safeguards in a back-room walk-in unit prompted a preventable tragedy.

Overview

  • Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, was found deceased and unclothed in an employee-only walk-in freezer at a Little Havana Dollar Tree on Dec. 14, 2025, according to Miami police.
  • Police say no foul play is suspected, though the case remains an active investigation.
  • Her family filed a $50 million negligence lawsuit claiming the company owed a nondelegable duty to maintain safe premises and to assist a customer reported missing.
  • The complaint alleges manager Yanelkis Gonzalez told staff not to review surveillance footage and failed to enforce closing procedures to ensure all customers exited.
  • The filing further claims the freezer lacked basic safeguards such as an internal emergency release, latch or alarm, and that customers could access the back area; Dollar Tree was asked for comment.