Police release new details on workplace death of 19-year-old at Halifax Walmart

Warning: This story contains distressing details

Halifax Regional Police are releasing more details about the workplace death of a 19-year-old woman at a Walmart on Saturday. 

The woman, who was an employee of the store, was found in a large oven belonging to the store's bakery department, police said in a news release on Tuesday afternoon. 

Police added that the investigation has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed. They have not released her name. 

Police said they were called to the Mumford Road store on Saturday night around 9:30 p.m. local time and found the woman, who had been working that day, deceased when they arrived.

Sources tell CBC News that the oven in the bakery does not lock. The oven is a commercial model that is large enough for a person to step into.  

On Wednesday, the parking lot outside the store was mostly empty as the store remained closed for a fourth day. Police told reporters on Tuesday afternoon they are no longer on scene.  

Employees still being paid

In a statement, a spokesperson from Walmart said the store is "temporarily closed as we co-operate fully with the investigation."

Amanda Moss said employees will continue to be paid for the shifts they're scheduled to work while the store is closed.

"We will consider alternate work arrangements in the event the store remains closed for a longer-than-anticipated period of time," Moss wrote in an email.

She would not disclose the expected duration of the closure. 

The company said it was providing access to 24/7 virtual care to employees and providing support, including grief counselling, at an off-site location.

The provincial Department of Labour said in a statement to CBC News that a stop-work order was issued on Tuesday for the bakery and one piece of equipment at the store.

Tribute outside store

Some Halifax residents left flowers and notes in front of the Walmart in memory of the late employee.

Balbir Singh, the secretary of the Maritime Sikh Society, said Tuesday that the society has been in touch with the mother of the 19-year-old victim and learned that the woman and her mother are originally from India and came to Canada two to three years ago.

He said the local Sikh community is deeply distressed by her death.

"It's a really tragic incident and everybody is deeply hurt by this, and we are waiting for the police investigation to come out," said Singh. "We would like to know what happened to this young woman."

He added that psychological counselling is being provided to the mother and efforts are underway to bring other immediate family members from India. Singh said that once the body is released by the medical examiner, a religious service will be held in Halifax.

Singh said it will be up to police and occupational and health investigators to make clear to the public what occurred.

"It's all rumours on social media," he said. "We don't know the details ... there should be something from the police that puts an end to all the rumours."

Investigators are working closely with the Labour Department and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner, police said. They have not said if the circumstances surrounding the woman's death were criminal in nature.

"The investigation is complex," said Const. Martin Cromwell on Monday. "We just want to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there is family members and co-workers involved."