Woman's body found in Dollar Tree freezer in Miami, police say

December 16, 2025 Neo
Woman's body found in Dollar Tree freezer in Miami, police say

A 32-year-old woman was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree in Miami over the weekend, according to local police.

A Dollar Tree employee contacted Miami police at about 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, and said the body of the deceased woman was found inside the store. The department described the area she was found in as a freezer or cooler.

The department identified the woman as Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez and said her death is being investigated. Foul play is not suspected, but the department said it is still investigating.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department told USA TODAY on Tuesday, Dec. 16, that a manner and cause of death have not been determined for Garay Sanchez.

Dollar Tree declined to answer questions and confirm the woman's connection to the store, but said in a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday, Dec. 16, that the company's "thoughts are with the individual's family and loved ones."

"We are cooperating fully with the authorities at this time," the statement read.

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Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was visiting father in Miami, friend says

Garay Sanchez is from Nicaragua and was visiting her father in Miami, according to a GoFundMe page organized after her death.

Stefany Pereira started aGoFundMeto raise money to get Garay Sanchez back home. Garay Sanchez was a mother of two, as well as an anesthesiologist specializing in congenital heart disease, the fundraiser says.

Pereira, who described Garay Sanchez's death as a tragic accident while abroad, said the deceased woman's family wants to send her off properly. As of Tuesday, Dec. 16, the fundraiser has collected over $13,000 toward its $20,000 goal. The funds will cover repatriation, transportation and funeral services in Nicaragua.

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Facebook user Andrea Tamara Campos also dedicated a post to Sanchez, reflecting on how they lived together while studying at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua.

Campos said Garay Sanchez was the only anesthesiologist in Nicaragua who specialized in congenital heart disease.

Campos said she last saw her friend on Nov. 29 during a trip to Leon. The pair went to the supermarket, bought a sangria, some glasses and towels, and then went to grab a bite to eat. They passed a historic landmark where poetRigoberto López Pérez assassinated dictator Anastasio Somoza, and was soon killed himself.

According to Campos, Garay Sanchez was happy to go to Miami to visit her father, and she was supposed to return on Monday, Dec. 15. She said she will miss her friend and the moments they spent together drinking wine, dancing, going to the theater and having dinner, the Facebook post reads.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia–the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Woman found dead in Dollar Tree freezer in Miami, police say

 

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