How did the doctor die in the Dollar Tree freezer?

The doctor was found unresponsive inside an employee-only freezer, and while investigators ruled out foul play, the exact circumstances of how she became trapped are unclear.

What is the Dollar Tree lawsuit about?

The doctor's family has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Dollar Tree, alleging negligence and failure to assist after she became trapped in the store's freezer overnight.

Was foul play involved in the Dollar Tree freezer death?

No, investigators have stated that foul play was ruled out in the death of the doctor found inside the Dollar Tree freezer.

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Doctor Found Dead in Dollar Tree Freezer

31 Jan

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Summary

Doctor found naked and unresponsive in a freezer.
Family sues Dollar Tree for $50 million in damages.
Investigators ruled out foul play in the death.

Doctor Found Dead in Dollar Tree Freezer

The family of Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez is pursuing a $50 million lawsuit against a Dollar Tree store and its manager following her death. Sanchez, 32, was found naked and unresponsive on the morning of December 14, 2025, inside an employee-only walk-in freezer at a Miami-Dade location.

The lawsuit claims Sanchez became trapped in the freezer overnight after entering the restricted area before closing on December 13, 2025. Her family alleges the store manager failed to take reasonable action to locate or assist her despite being aware she had not left the premises.

Investigators have determined there was no foul play involved in her death, classifying it as an 'unclassified death.' Security footage reportedly shows Sanchez entering the freezer area by herself, and an emergency release was present on the freezer door, which could be opened from the inside.