Overview

• On June 26, Nicolas Lopez Gomez, 38, was discovered dead inside a non-operational industrial oven at the Gilster-Mary Lee Cereal Plant in Perryville during cleaning operations.
• Authorities identified the victim as a Guatemalan national using the alias Edward Avila and said foul play is not suspected.
• Investigators believe Gomez was power-washing the machine from the outside but remain unclear how he became trapped inside.
• Perry County Coroner Meghan Ellis confirmed that OSHA has been contacted and will lead a formal investigation into potential safety protocol lapses.
• Gilster-Mary Lee and OSHA have not released further details about the incident or any planned safety measures.