Medical Examiner: Hypothermia Caused Death of Woman Found in Miami Store Freezer

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled that 32-year-old Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez died from environmental hypothermia after being found inside a walk-in freezer at a Miami Dollar Tree store in December.

According to the report, ethanol use was a contributing factor. Sanchez’s blood alcohol level measured 0.112%, above the legal driving limit.

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit and, if untreated, can be fatal.

On December 15, Miami police responded to the Dollar Tree at 968 Southwest 8th Street after an employee reported finding a body inside a freezer. Investigators say Sanchez entered the store the night before closing, did not make a purchase, and later went into a freezer located in a back storage area. She remained inside overnight and was discovered the next morning.

Her family has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Dollar Tree, alleging negligence. The suit claims Sanchez became trapped in the freezer and that store management failed to act after being placed on notice that she had not exited the building. It argues that employees did not take reasonable steps to locate or assist her.

Sanchez’s family said she was a physician in Nicaragua.

Dollar Tree previously released a statement expressing condolences and saying the company is cooperating with authorities.

The investigation has drawn widespread attention, as questions remain about how Sanchez accessed the freezer and whether safeguards were in place to prevent such a tragedy.