Dollar Tree freezer death investigation
The death of Dr. Massiell Garay Sanchez in a Miami Dollar Tree freezer on December 14, 2025, has been ruled an accident by the medical examiner as of April 16, 2026, with surveillance footage showing she entered willingly and no foul play involved. As of April 16, 2026, her family is raising funds to repatriate her body to Nicaragua, while a $50 million lawsuit against Dollar Tree and a manager for alleged negligence is ongoing, filed on February 15, 2026. Autopsy results released on February 12, 2026, confirmed environmental hypothermia as the cause of death, with a blood alcohol level of 0.112% as a contributing factor. Further details on February 13, 2026, noted paradoxical undressing could explain why she was found unclothed. Investigators confirmed on January 6, 2026, the freezer had an emergency release and she was not forced inside.
Timeline
Want updates on this thread?
Track this storyTimeline of developments
April 2026 — 1 developments
Medical Examiner Rules Dr. Massiell Garay Sanchez's Dollar Tree Freezer Death an Accident
The medical examiner has ruled the death of Dr. Massiell Garay Sanchez in a Miami Dollar Tree freezer an accident. Surveillance footage showed Sanchez entering the freezer willingly, and police confirmed no foul play was involved. Her family is raising funds to repatriate her body to Nicaragua.
February 2026 — 3 developments
Family sues Dollar Tree for $50M after woman found dead in freezer
Dr. Helen Garay Sanchez's family is suing Dollar Tree and a specific manager for $50 million, alleging negligence in safety controls after she was found dead in a walk-in freezer. Autopsy results confirmed her cause of death was environmental hypothermia, with a blood alcohol level of 0.112% as a contributing factor.
Family of Dr. Garay Sanchez files wrongful death lawsuit against Dollar Tree
Further details emerged about the autopsy findings, including the phenomenon of paradoxical undressing in cases of severe hypothermia, which could explain why Dr. Garay Sanchez was found unclothed. Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dollar Tree, alleging negligence in securing hazardous areas.
Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Rules Death Caused by Environmental Hypothermia, Alcohol a Factor
The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office released the autopsy results, officially ruling the cause of death as environmental hypothermia, with alcohol consumption (blood alcohol level of 0.112%) as a contributing factor.
January 2026 — 2 developments
Investigators confirm Dr. Garay Sanchez not forced into freezer with emergency release
Investigators confirmed that the freezer had an emergency release mechanism that could be opened from the inside, and that Dr. Garay Sanchez was not forced into the freezer.
Miami police confirm video footage key evidence, rule out mental illness in Dr. Sanchez death
Miami police confirmed that video footage taken minutes before Dr. Garay Sanchez entered the freezer was key evidence in the investigation. They also confirmed that mental illness was ruled out as a factor in her death.
December 2025 — 4 developments
Family of Dr. Garay Sanchez seeks GoFundMe support for repatriation and funeral
Dr. Garay Sanchez's family began speaking out about the incident, and a GoFundMe page was established to help with repatriation and funeral costs for her return to Nicaragua.
Nicaraguan anesthesiologist Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez found dead in freezer
Initial reports identified the deceased as 32-year-old Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, an anesthesiologist from Nicaragua and mother of two. Police stated there were no immediate signs of foul play and that she was not forced into the freezer.
Dr. Garay Sanchez entered store freezer alone, remained overnight before unclassified death
Miami Police began investigating the discovery as an unclassified death. Surveillance footage indicated Dr. Garay Sanchez entered the store alone the night before and accessed a restricted employee-only area, including the freezer, where she remained overnight.
Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez found deceased in Dollar Tree freezer
Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was discovered deceased inside a walk-in freezer at a Dollar Tree store in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood by an employee opening the store. She was found unclothed.