😱 SHOCKING: 32-Year-Old Doctor & Mom of Two Walks Into a Dollar Tree… and Never Walks Out Alive 😢❄️

She stepped inside a busy Little Havana store on a normal December evening. The next morning? Employees opened the back room… and found her lifeless body INSIDE the walk-in freezer.

The chilling details are only just emerging… and they’re raising HUGE questions about what really happened in that store.👇

The family of Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, a 32-year-old anesthesiologist and mother of two from Nicaragua, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $50 million in damages against Dollar Tree Inc. and a store manager, alleging negligence contributed to her death inside a walk-in freezer at a Little Havana location in December 2025.

Sanchez was discovered unresponsive inside the freezer at the Dollar Tree store at 968 SW 8th Street on the morning of December 14, 2025. An employee found her body around 8 a.m. while opening the business. Miami Police Department officers responded, and the department confirmed no foul play was suspected. The death remains under investigation, with authorities stating it appears Sanchez entered the restricted employee-only storage area voluntarily the previous evening.

According to police reports and surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, Sanchez walked into the store shortly before closing on December 13 but did not make any purchases. She proceeded to the back storage room, where the walk-in freezer is located, and spent the night inside. The exact circumstances leading her to enter the freezer remain unclear, though police have ruled out criminal involvement or forced entry.

The lawsuit, filed January 28, 2026, in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on behalf of Sanchez’s estate—including her husband, father, and two young children—claims Dollar Tree breached its duty of care. It alleges the store failed to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous areas, lacked basic safety mechanisms such as an internal emergency release, latch, or alarm to prevent entrapment, and did not adequately train employees to ensure all customers exited before closing.

The complaint further asserts that the store manager was informed Sanchez was missing and had not left the premises but “failed to take reasonable action to locate or assist” her, including allegedly instructing an employee not to review surveillance footage. These alleged oversights, the family argues, allowed Sanchez to remain trapped overnight, leading to fatal injuries from exposure to extreme cold.

Sanchez, an anesthesiologist specializing in congenital heart disease, worked at Manuel de Jesús Rivera Children’s Hospital in Managua, Nicaragua, and at another private clinic. She was in Miami visiting family, leaving her children at home. A GoFundMe page created by relatives described her as a devoted physician whose work “brought hope and healing” and highlighted her role as a loving mother.

Family members have expressed profound grief and frustration over the lack of answers. Relatives told media outlets they remain baffled by the events, with one stating, “We don’t know how this happened either. And we’re not getting any answers.” The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and compensatory damages exceeding $50 million for wrongful death, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Dollar Tree has not publicly commented on the specific allegations in the lawsuit. Following the incident, the company released a statement expressing condolences and cooperating with authorities. The retailer has emphasized that employee safety and customer protocols are priorities, though no further details on the freezer’s condition or access controls have been disclosed.

Miami Police Public Information Officer Michael Vega confirmed the body was located in a walk-in freezer/cooler in the stockroom. Dispatch audio from the scene referenced a “naked female in the cooler,” though police have not elaborated on clothing status or its relevance. The department reiterated that the investigation continues, with no evidence of third-party involvement.

The case has drawn attention to potential hazards in retail environments, particularly restricted areas like stockrooms and freezers. Commercial walk-in units typically operate at sub-zero temperatures to preserve inventory, and entrapment can lead to hypothermia or other fatal outcomes within hours. Safety standards from organizations like OSHA require features such as internal releases for occupied units, though enforcement varies by jurisdiction and business type.

Sanchez’s death prompted community shock in Little Havana, a vibrant neighborhood known for its Cuban heritage and bustling streets. Residents expressed sadness over the loss of a visiting professional and mother. Local media coverage, including from NBC 6, CBS Miami, and the Miami Herald, highlighted the mystery surrounding her actions and the family’s push for accountability.

The incident also sparked online discussions about mental health, though police have not indicated it as a factor. Authorities stressed that no evidence supports such speculation, and the focus remains on procedural and safety lapses alleged in the civil suit.

Wrongful death lawsuits in Florida require proving negligence caused the fatality. The family’s claims center on premises liability—arguing Dollar Tree knew or should have known of risks associated with unsecured hazardous areas accessible to the public. If proven, such cases can result in significant awards, though corporate defendants often settle to avoid trials.

Dollar Tree operates thousands of discount stores nationwide, many in urban areas like Miami. The chain has faced prior premises liability claims, though none directly comparable to this incident. The company’s response to the lawsuit will likely include motions to dismiss or counterarguments emphasizing personal responsibility or unforeseeable actions.

For Sanchez’s family, the legal action represents a pursuit of justice and answers amid grief. Her children, still young, face life without their mother, while relatives in Nicaragua and Miami mourn the loss of a caregiver and professional.

As the case proceeds, it may prompt broader scrutiny of retail safety protocols, particularly in stores with large back-of-house areas. Retail industry groups advocate for comprehensive training and equipment checks to prevent accidents.

The coroner’s office has yet to release a final cause of death, pending toxicology and other tests. Miami Police continue to investigate, though the civil suit operates independently of any criminal findings.

This tragedy underscores the unpredictability of everyday outings and the profound impact on families when preventable risks lead to loss. Sanchez’s loved ones hope the lawsuit brings accountability and prevents similar occurrences.