Woman Found Dead Inside Freezer at Miami Dollar Tree

Miami police are investigating after a 32-year-old woman was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree store on Sunday morning.

Officers responded around 8 a.m. to the Dollar Tree located at 968 Southwest 8th Street after an employee reported discovering a body inside the store. Upon arrival, police found the woman deceased inside a freezer in a back storage area.

The woman was identified as Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, according to Miami Police.

Investigators said surveillance footage shows Sanchez entering the store late Saturday night shortly before closing. She did not purchase anything and later made her way into a rear storage room, where she entered the freezer and remained there overnight.

She was discovered the following morning when an employee arrived to open the store.

At this stage, police have not indicated any signs of foul play. Detectives are speaking with Sanchez’s family to determine whether she may have been experiencing mental health challenges prior to her death.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine exactly how and why Sanchez entered the freezer and whether safety protocols were followed.