Mother of two found dead in Dollar Tree walk-in freezer in Miami

A 32-year-old mother of two was found dead inside the walk-in freezer of a Dollar Tree store in Miami, authorities confirmed, as investigators work to determine how she ended up there.

Police were called to the Dollar Tree location around 8am after an employee reported discovering a deceased woman inside the store’s stockroom freezer. The woman was later identified as Helen Massiell Garah Sanchez, according to the Miami Police Department.

Dispatcher audio obtained by local media indicated that the employee told authorities the woman was found unclothed inside the cooler.

Despite the disturbing discovery, police said there are currently no signs of foul play. Surveillance footage from the store has not raised immediate concerns, though the death remains under investigation and the circumstances are still unclear.

Sanchez was an accomplished anesthesiologist from Nicaragua who specialized in treating congenital heart disease, according to a GoFundMe page created to help return her remains to her home country. The fundraiser described her as a compassionate physician whose work saved and improved the lives of countless children and families.

At the time of her death, Sanchez was reportedly abroad. She is survived by her two children, who remain in Nicaragua and were described by loved ones as the center of her life.

The incident has shaken the local community, with nearby residents expressing disbelief over the discovery inside a retail store. Dollar Tree has not publicly commented on the case.

Authorities have not released additional details as the investigation continues.