An American female doctor was discovered deceased inside a commercial freezer at a discount store in Miami, Florida, in a shocking incident that has left the local community in disbelief.
Grisly Discovery at Little Havana Store
According to authorities, the tragic discovery was made on Sunday morning around 8 a.m. An employee at the Dollar Tree store located in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood found the naked and unresponsive body of a woman inside a large freezer chest located in an employees-only area.
The victim was identified as Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, a 32-year-old anesthesiologist from Nicaragua. Police reports indicate that surveillance footage showed Dr. Sanchez entering the store on Saturday night but not purchasing any items. It is believed she made her way into the restricted area and remained there overnight.
Investigation Rules Out Foul Play
The Miami Police Department stated that investigators have ruled out foul play in connection with her death. The case is currently being treated as an 'unclassified death' while detectives continue their probe.
Authorities are looking into whether Dr. Sanchez, a mother of two young children, was experiencing any personal or mental health issues at the time. Police are in contact with her family as part of the ongoing investigation.
The store was closed for part of Sunday to allow police to conduct their investigation but reopened later the same day.
A Life Dedicated to Healing Children
Dr. Sanchez was a specialist in congenital heart disease. A GoFundMe page created to support her family described her as a compassionate healer whose work brought hope to countless children and families.
"Her work brought hope and healing to countless children and families. Her compassion, skill, and commitment to saving young lives defined both her career and her character," the tribute read.
The page also noted that her two children, who live in Nicaragua, "were the center of her world." Her loved ones are now working to repatriate her body to Nicaragua. By Monday afternoon, the fundraising effort had garnered nearly $6,000 in donations.
Community Reacts with Shock and Sorrow
Store patrons and local residents expressed profound shock upon learning of the incident. One customer told local news outlet WPLG that the situation was painful and heartbreaking for the family, especially with so many unanswered questions.
"I got to be honest with you, I'm totally devastated," another shopper, Margarita Puid, told CBS News. "I can't believe in the Dollar Tree you'd find a dead body."
Another local shopper, Hugo Morales, echoed the sentiment of disbelief, calling the incident "crazy" and stating he had never heard of anything like it happening before.
The Miami Police Department's investigation remains active as they work to determine the precise circumstances that led to the doctor's tragic death inside the store freezer.
