Halifax Walmart reopens 3 months after employee's death

The Halifax Walmart where a 19-year-old woman was found dead has reopened more than three months after the tragedy.

The Mumford Road store opened its doors to customers again at 7 a.m. Monday.

Managers welcomed back employees to work while expecting a day of mixed emotions.

"It's great to have our customers and our associates back in the store," said Nick Ritcey with Walmart Canada's corporate affairs. "Obviously the tragedy is still top of mind and it's something that will be sad forever."

The body of Gursimran Kaur, a Walmart employee, was discovered Oct. 19 inside a commercial bakery oven at the store. Halifax Regional Police said last November there was no evidence of foul play.

Walmart later said the oven was removed and would no longer be used.

More than 300 staff expected back at the store

The store underwent a full renovation during its closure.

Ritcey said the approximately 325 staff were paid throughout the renovation and also had opportunities to work at other Walmart stores.

Support continues to be available to them, he said.

Walmart remains in contact with Kaur's family and will consider ways to honour the young woman, who was remembered as a kind person with a gentle spirit by those who knew her.

"Three months is still very recent for that magnitude of a tragedy," Ritcey said. "We'll continue to be in contact and make sure that we work out the best situation possible with them."

The provincial Labour Department placed a stop-work order on the bakery and one piece of equipment following Kaur's death. The order was lifted several days later when compliance was confirmed.

The department said Monday its investigation is ongoing and therefore no other information can be provided.