Family Files $50 Million Lawsuit Over Tragic Freezer Death of Miami Mother
The grieving family of a mother who tragically froze to death after becoming trapped overnight in a supermarket walk-in freezer has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the store manager. The incident, which occurred at a Dollar Tree store in Miami, Florida, has raised serious questions about retail safety protocols and employee training.
Shocking Discovery by Store Employee
Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, a 32-year-old anaesthesiologist, was found deceased in the supermarket's walk-in freezer on the morning of December 14th. A store employee made the horrifying discovery when entering the stockroom area, immediately calling emergency services. According to Miami police reports, there was no evidence indicating that Dr. Sanchez had been forced into the freezer, leaving her means of entry as an unresolved mystery.
Allegations of Managerial Negligence
The $50 million lawsuit specifically names store manager Yanelkis Gonzalez as responsible for the tragedy. Legal documents claim that despite being informed that a customer had not exited the premises, Gonzalez failed to review available surveillance footage that could have revealed Dr. Sanchez's continued presence within the store. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the manager neglected to implement, train staff on, and enforce reasonable closing-time procedures designed to ensure all customers had left before securing the premises.
The lawsuit states: 'The manager failed to timely discover Sanchez's presence inside the walk-in freezer and to render reasonable aid or summon emergency assistance.' The family's legal team also contends that the freezer itself was faulty and that store workers did not adequately prevent shoppers from accessing the dangerous area.
Medical Explanation for Circumstances
Medical experts suggest that after becoming trapped, Dr. Sanchez likely succumbed to hypothermia, a condition that can cause paradoxical undressing in its final stages. This phenomenon occurs when victims, experiencing severe cold, mistakenly believe they are overheating and consequently remove their clothing. The discovery of her unclothed body aligns with this medical explanation for the tragic outcome.
Tributes to a Dedicated Physician
A GoFundMe campaign established to repatriate Dr. Sanchez's remains to her native Nicaragua described her as 'a devoted physician and beloved mother.' The tribute continued: 'Dr. Garay dedicated her life to medicine, earning recognition as an Anesthesiologist specialising in congenital heart disease whose 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 family's primary objective remains bringing Dr. Sanchez home to Nicaragua for a proper funeral and burial surrounded by loved ones, while simultaneously seeking justice through the legal system for what they perceive as preventable negligence.
