Mother's Body Discovered Stuck in Supermarket Freezer Overnight

The family of a mother found deceased in a supermarket freezer is taking legal action against the store's manager.

On December 14, 2025, Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez's lifeless body was unexpectedly discovered the morning after her visit to a Dollar Tree location by a startled employee in Miami, Florida.

Police reports indicated that there was no evidence suggesting that the 32-year-old anaesthesiologist had been forced into the freezer, yet the circumstances surrounding how she became trapped remain unclear.

A lawsuit seeking $50 million has been filed, accusing store manager Yanelkis Gonzalez of negligence for not locating Dr. Sanchez after learning she was missing from the premises.

The legal complaint alleges that Gonzalez was informed of a customer's absence but neglected to check surveillance footage that could have confirmed whether Sanchez was still inside the Dollar Tree store.

Furthermore, it is claimed that the manager failed to swiftly identify Sanchez’s presence in the walk-in freezer and did not provide adequate assistance or contact emergency services promptly.

The lawsuit asserts that Gonzalez did not adequately train store employees or establish effective closing policies and procedures to ensure that all customers had exited the store before locking up, which led to Sanchez being overlooked.

Sanchez's family also contends that the freezer was malfunctioning and that store staff did not adequately monitor access for customers entering it.

Her body was only retrieved the following morning when a staff member discovered her in the freezer and immediately called for help.

Medical experts suggest that, after being trapped in the cold environment, she may have experienced hypothermia, a condition that could lead to paradoxical undressing as a victim’s body mistakenly perceives overheating.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to facilitate the transportation of Helen’s remains back to her homeland of Nicaragua. The campaign affectionately describes her as "a dedicated physician and cherished mother."

The statement further elaborates that Dr. Garay was acknowledged for her specialization as an anaesthesiologist focusing on congenital heart conditions, significantly impacting many children and families through her work.

"Her dedication, empathy, and commitment towards saving young lives were the hallmarks of both her profession and personality. Her family hopes to bring her home to Nicaragua for a dignified funeral and a final resting place among loved ones."