The family of a woman who was found dead inside a walk-in freezer at a Dollar Tree store in Miami has filed a $50 million lawsuit, alleging negligence and failure to act by store staff.
Tragic Discovery in Store Freezer
On December 14, employees at a Miami Dollar Tree discovered the body of Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, inside the store’s walk-in freezer.
Garay Sanchez had reportedly entered the store shortly before closing, did not buy anything, and then accessed the employee-only storage area, where she later died. The case was initially classified as an unclassified death as authorities worked to understand what happened.
Store Manager Accused of Ignoring Pleas for Help
According to the lawsuit, the store’s manager, Yanelkis Gonzalez, was informed that Garay Sanchez had entered the store but never came out. A customer even requested that surveillance footage be reviewed to help locate her.
However, the complaint alleges that Gonzalez refused, and instead ordered a Dollar Tree employee not to check the video. The lawsuit claims this delay prevented timely assistance that may have saved Garay Sanchez’s life.
Claims of Unsafe Freezer Conditions
The lawsuit also accuses Dollar Tree of failing to install proper safety mechanisms within the freezer. According to the complaint, the freezer was faulty, lacked safety measures, and was located in a part of the store accessible to customers, making it a serious safety hazard.
Victim Was a Mother and Anesthesiologist
Garay Sanchez, originally from Nicaragua, was a 32-year-old anesthesiologist and mother of two young children, who still live in Nicaragua. A GoFundMe page set up by her family describes her as a loving, strong, and devoted mother who always put her children first.
“Her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will always be remembered,” her family wrote.
Lawsuit Seeks Accountability and Justice
The family is seeking $50 million in damages, holding both the store manager and Dollar Tree responsible for what they believe were avoidable failures in both safety and response.
The case is now moving forward in court as the family continues to demand answers and accountability for the loss of their loved one.
