FL-Miami, Woman's body found inside freezer at Dollar Tree Store, Dec. 14, 2025

[nhmemorymaker]

Family Sues for More Than $50 Million After Woman Was Found Dead in Dollar Tree Freezer

The family of Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, the 32-year-old woman who was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree in Miami, is now suing the chain store for more than $50 million in damages.

people.com

 

[PatLaurel]

Family Sues for More Than $50 Million After Woman Was Found Dead in Dollar Tree Freezer

The family of Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, the 32-year-old woman who was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree in Miami, is now suing the chain store for more than $50 million in damages.

people.com

From your link: “Sanchez’s family also claimed that the store’s manager was ‘placed on actual notice’ that she was missing and hadn’t exited the store and ‘failed to take reasonable action to locate or assist Sanchez.’”

This doesn’t make sense to me. She entered the freezer on her own and could have exited at any time. The freezer was not locked, and the emergency release was working. She entered a restricted area voluntarily, which places responsibility on her actions. Also, that's criminal trespassing. MOO JMO

 

[PatLaurel]

The complaint can be read here: miamidadeclerk

Local Case Number:2026-001784-CA-01

The family that Garay that became trapped inside the freezer. IIRC the officer that spoke to the media stated that the emergency release was working.

There are also numerous “failing” accusations concerning the freezer area, lighting, and safety. Do they realize that she entered an employees only area? The sticker is clearly visible and readable from the sidewalk, even with the doors closed.

They also accuse the manager of instructing an employee on duty not to review the surveillance footage and failing to take "reasonable action to locate or assist" Helen. 50 Million dollar question: Why didn't they call 911, immediately?! MOO JMO

ETA: missing 1 in 911

 

[FL Wannabe]

Interested to see if the case will settle before trial.

IANAL, and don't know the legal workings of something like this. However, the filing does note that HS entered the store, passed into an employee only area and entered the walk in freezer (which had properly working latches to allow her exit). But a key point I noted is that the store employees ( to include the manager ) did not search the store for her either then or at closing time. Wouldn't it be reasonable to do a sweep before closing?

 

[ttcRider]

Reasonable yes. Who would ever think someone was 'hiding' in the freezer? It's easy to think normal behavior would rule that out and I am sure those employees are devastated to learn otherwise. You can't keep an eye on everyone who enters your store. Not your job.