Authorities in Miami are working to piece together what led to the death of a Florida woman whose body was discovered inside a Dollar Tree store freezer, a case that has left both investigators and her family searching for clarity.
Miami Police confirmed to CBS News that 32-year-old Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was found deceased around 8 a.m. on Sunday, December 14, inside the freezer of a Dollar Tree located at 968 SW 8th St. in the city’s Little Havana neighborhood. Officers responded after an employee called to report that they had found a woman inside the store’s cooler area.
According to police, Garay Sanchez entered the store the night before her body was discovered. Surveillance and investigative findings indicate that she did not make a purchase and, at some point, entered an employee-only area containing the freezer. Police say she was not forced into the freezer, and at this stage, foul play has been ruled out.
The death is currently classified as “unclassified,” meaning investigators are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding how and why she ended up inside the freezer.
Authorities are also examining whether Garay Sanchez may have been experiencing personal or mental health challenges before her death.
Police radio traffic from the scene described the discovery as unusual, with dispatchers noting that store staff did not recognize the woman.
Video showed officers and fire-rescue personnel moving through the rear of the store, wearing gloves and carrying equipment during the investigation.
Garay Sanchez was a physician originally from Nicaragua, according to a GoFundMe page created by her family. The fundraiser describes her as an anesthesiologist who specialized in congenital heart disease, a role that allowed her to work closely with children and families facing serious medical challenges.
“Beyond her profession, she was a loving mother to two children, who remain in Nicaragua and were the center of her world,” the fundraiser states. “Her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will always be remembered.”
The family is raising money to transport her body back to Nicaragua, where they hope to hold funeral services and lay her to rest among loved ones. Relatives were seen outside the Dollar Tree on Sunday waiting for updates from detectives.