Teenage Walmart Employee Was 'Locked in' Store Oven Before Being Found Dead, Emergency Audio Shows

Adam Carlson, Becca Longmire
Thu, October 24, 2024

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"Oven is on, unsure if the staff are able to turn it off," a dispatcher told other first responders

A teenage Walmart employee who was found dead at her store’s walk-in oven last week was said to be “locked” inside with the power still on, according to audio of emergency officials responding to the tragedy.

The roughly 90-second call, published by The Daily Mail, shows a dispatcher describe the incident as a “technical rescue call” at the Walmart, in Halifax, Canada.



AlamyThe Walmart in Halifax, Canada, where a teenage employee was found dead

“Female is locked in an oven in the bakery, oven is on, unsure if the staff are able to turn it off,” the dispatcher says in the audio.

Another first responder later asks, “The person trapped in the — on their – do we have the powers off for that, does the staff want to turn the power off? … In case we do make contact.”

Soon after, however, another official says that “the person was out of the oven upon arrival” and the matter was being dealt with by regional police.

The victim has not yet been identified by officials. PEOPLE has requested copies of the first responder audio related to the investigation.

Halifax Regional Police have said they were called to the Walmart location on Saturday, Oct. 19, at around 9:30 p.m. local time for a report of a "sudden death."

"A 19-year-old woman employed at the store was found deceased," a Monday, Oct. 21, news release states.

Police added then that investigators were "working closely with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the cause and manner of death."

In a further update posted on Tuesday, Oct. 22, police said the woman had been "located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store’s bakery department."

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Authorities said their investigation was still ongoing and that it would be "complex" and involve "several partner agencies."

"An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time," police said, urging the public "to be mindful of sharing speculative information on social media."

Constable Martin Cromwell told reporters of the investigation on Monday, according to the CBC: "We just want to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there is family members and co-workers involved."

Cromwell had no additional information to share when contacted by PEOPLE.

in a statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss said, "Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family."

"Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need," Moss said, adding, "Our store will be closed until further notice."