‘No evidence of foul play’ in Halifax Walmart death inside bakery oven: police

Police investigators have determined the death of a 19-year-old Walmart employee found dead inside a Halifax store last month was not suspicious, and there is “no evidence of foul play.”

In a Monday update, Halifax Regional Police (HRP) said investigators had met with the family to share the findings, and that the family has asked for privacy.

Gursimran Kaur’s death on Oct. 19 shocked the country and made headlines around the world, and drew an outpouring of support from the local Sikh community.

Kaur and her mother both worked at the Mumford Road Walmart, and according to the Maritime Sikh Society, it was her mother who found her body inside a bakery walk-in oven.

A police spokesperson declined an on-camera interview on Monday but in a video statement, Const. Martin Cromwell said while the department understands the public’s interest in the case, “there are questions that may never have answers.”

“As a part of the investigation, we conducted several interviews, reviewed video footage, and worked very closely with our partners of Nova Scotia Department of Labour and the medical examiner’s service,” he said.

“Our job at the Halifax Regional Police is to investigate criminality. Today I can share that our investigation has not led us to suspect foul play. We do not believe anyone else was involved in the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.”

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has assumed the lead in the ongoing workplace investigation.

Cromwell also reminded people to be “mindful of the damage public speculation can cause.”

“This woman’s loved ones are grieving,” he said.

“People will process loss in various ways. I urge all of you to check in with yourselves and consider accessing support if you need it.”

The store has remained closed since Kaur’s death. Walmart representatives are at the store Monday, holding a staff meeting. Spokesperson Sarah Kennedy said while the re-opening date has not been determined yet, some employees will begin work to get the store ready for customers.

“They’re heartbroken, they’re grieving, they’re a close community — a close group of associates,” said Kennedy. “You know, I think in the store today there’s also excitement at being back together again.”

2:05 Halifax police say no evidence of foul play in Walmart employee’s death

First responders were called to the store at around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 19 for a report of a “sudden death.” Shoppers and staff were asked to leave the building, and the store has remained closed since.

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A stop-work order was immediately initiated for the the bakery area of the store and for “a piece of equipment.” That order was lifted by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration on Oct. 28. 

In a statement Monday, a department spokesperson said the order was lifted “after the oven was assessed and determined to have been operating as per the manufacturer’s requirements.”

The spokesperson said the case remains an active investigation, and is unable to provide any more details at this time.

1:37 19-year-old employee dies at Halifax Walmart

Kaur and her mother were both originally from India who came to Canada about three years ago, and are a part of the Sikh community.

The 19-year-old was described as “a young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams” in a GoFundMe campaign set up by the Maritime Sikh Society.

The society has been helping Kaur’s mother with finding counselling services, raising money, and preparing paperwork to bring Kaur’s family members to Canada.

Balbir Singh, a member of the society, has been speaking on behalf of the family.

“They are in grief. They are in pain and they are in agony about (the) kind of situation they are (in),” he told Global News.

The online fundraiser had a goal of $50,000, which was reached within 10 hours. It has raised nearly $200,000 and was closed to new donations.

Meanwhile, Singh confirmed Kaur’s father and brother have arrived in Nova Scotia to be by her mother’s side.

They are still awaiting the medical examiner’s report and Kaur’s remains before planning a funeral, said Singh.

1:02 Family of Walmart employee found dead in bakery oven offered support by Nova Scotia Sikh Society

The Walmart store is still closed, although renovations have resumed. The store was already undergoing renovations at the time of Kaur’s death.

“Our thoughts still remain with our associates and the family who we know are continuing to grieve in this very difficult time,” said Kennedy.

“We’re certainly relieved to hear from police that they’ve ruled out foul play we’ll continue to work with the Department of Labour in their ongoing investigation.”

The company has been providing grief counselling to staff, and Kennedy said that will continue to be offered.

Walmart Canada previously said employees were paid for any shifts they were scheduled to work, and that alternative work arrangements — including working at other nearby stores — would be made.

A spokesperson said the company had offered financial support to Kaur’s family, which the Maritime Sikh Society confirmed.

The company has also removed the oven as part of its renovation process.

“It’s just a standard part of re-modelling across the country,” said Kennedy.

“Just like any renovation, you replace pieces of equipment and pieces of appliances throughout the store. It’s normal protocol.”

— with files from Global News’ Ella MacDonald