The family of a Florida woman found dead inside a Dollar Tree freezer in Miami says they are still searching for answers nearly a week after her death, as the investigation remains unresolved.
Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, was discovered deceased inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree store on December 14. While police have said no foul play is suspected, her relatives say they’ve received little clarity about how the situation unfolded.
Speaking publicly this week, Sanchez’s cousin Daniela Cortez said the family is struggling with unanswered questions. “We don’t know how this happened either,” Cortez said to People. “And we’re not getting any answers.”
Miami Police previously confirmed that officers responded around 8 a.m. to reports of a deceased woman inside the Dollar Tree located at 968 SW 8th St. in Little Havana.
When first responders arrived, they found Sanchez’s body inside a freezer within the store. Authorities classified the death as unclassified, meaning the circumstances are still under review.
According to police statements shared with local outlets, Sanchez entered the store the night before she was found. Investigators say she did not make a purchase and, at some point, entered a restricted, employee-only area of the store where the freezer is located.
Police believe she entered the freezer and remained there overnight. An employee discovered her body the following morning.
At the time of the incident, investigators stated there were no signs of forced entry or evidence suggesting someone else placed her in the freezer. The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to review the circumstances surrounding her death.
Dollar Tree also addressed the situation in a brief statement, saying, “We are aware of this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the individual’s family and loved ones. We are cooperating fully with the authorities at this time.”
Sanchez was a Florida woman originally from Nicaragua and the mother of two children who still live there. According to a GoFundMe created by family friend Stefany Pereira, Sanchez was a physician and anesthesiologist who dedicated her career to caring for children with serious medical needs.
“Her compassion, skill, and commitment to saving young lives defined both her career and her character,” Pereira wrote. “Her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will always be remembered.”
The fundraiser explains that Sanchez died while abroad and that her family’s primary goal is to bring her body back to Nicaragua so she can be laid to rest among loved ones. Donations are being collected to cover repatriation, transportation, and funeral expenses.