Sikh community mourns teen found dead in Walmart oven: 'Unimaginable and indescribable'

Sikh leaders have raised nearly $200,000 for a family in Canada after a teenager was found dead in a walk-in oven at a Walmart where she worked.

Halifax regional police in Nova Scotia were called Saturday night to the store after the 19-year-old's body was discovered. In its more recent update Tuesday, police confirmed the woman was an employee of the store and said she was found in a walk-in oven of the Walmart's bakery department.

While police have not released the name of the teen as of Friday, a GoFundMe page organized by the Maritime Sikh Society identified her as Gursimran Kaur. According to Sikh leaders, Kaur and her mother moved two years ago from India to Canada and both worked at the same Walmart location.

"This family's sufferings are unimaginable and indescribable," Sikh leaders said on the GoFundMe, which they said was shared with the permission of Kaur's loved ones.

Paste BN has reached out to the Maritime Sikh Society.

Walmart employee death: Worker found dead inside walk-in oven at Canada store

Sikh leaders identify teen found dead in Walmart oven

The GoFundMe organized by the Sikh leaders in Halifax accumulated nearly $195,000 Canadian dollars before advocates decided to end the fundraiser Friday.

On the fundraiser's page, leaders detailed the series of events that led Kaur's mother to find her in the oven after she tried to locate her in the superstore.

The money that the Sikh leaders raised will help support Kaur's family, including helping pay for travel arrangements for her father and brother who were still in India.

"We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has donated to support Gursimran Kaur’s family during this unimaginable time," advocates wrote Friday on the GoFundMe. "Your kindness and generosity have been a source of strength for the family as they navigate through this tragedy."

Halifax police have no new information

Halifax police investigators have not yet determined the cause or manner of Kaur's death.

A spokesman for the agency declined to provide any further information from what has already been released when reached Friday morning by Paste BN.

"The investigation is complex and involves several partner agencies," Halifax police said in a Tuesday statement. "An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time."

Walmart in Halifax remains closed

The Walmart location in Halifax remains closed indefinitely after the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration issued stop-work order Tuesday for the bakery and one piece of equipment.

Walmart spokeswoman Amanda Moss confirmed to Paste BN on Friday that the store remains closed "until further notice" amid the investigation.

"We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family," Moss said in the previous statement Tuesday. "Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need."

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com