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Family Seeks Answers in Miami Dollar Tree Freezer Death of Visiting Doctor

Police classify the case as an undetermined death pending the medical examiner’s findings.

Overview

  • Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, a 32-year-old anesthesiologist from Nicaragua, was found dead in a walk-in freezer at a Dollar Tree in Little Havana on Dec. 14.
  • Surveillance footage shows her entering the store’s employee-only freezer the night of Dec. 13 shortly before closing, and an employee discovered her body the next morning.
  • Miami police say there were no immediate signs of foul play and the investigation remains open as they await autopsy and toxicology results.
  • Authorities reported that she entered the store without making a purchase and accessed a restricted area before remaining there overnight.
  • A GoFundMe organized to repatriate her to Nicaragua reported $18,382 in donations as of Friday, and Dollar Tree says it is cooperating with investigators.