Sikh leaders identify 19-year-old Walmart worker found in oven

Although police did not release the teen’s name Friday, a GoFundMe page organized by the Maritime Sikh Society identified her as Gursimran Kaur, who worked at the store with her mother.

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

Halifax Regional Police in Nova Scotia were called to the store Saturday evening after the 19-year-old’s body was discovered. In its more recent version update tuesdayPolice confirmed the woman was an employee of the store and said she was found in a walk-in oven in Walmart’s bakery department.

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

“The suffering of this family is unimaginable and indescribable,” Sikh leaders said on the GoFundMe, which they said was shared with the permission of Kaur’s loved ones.

USA TODAY has contacted the Maritime Sikh Association.

Death of Walmart employee: Employee found dead in walk-in oven of store in Canada

Sikh leaders identify teen found dead in Walmart oven

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

On the fundraising page, leaders detailed the series of events that led to Kaur’s mother finding her in the oven after trying to find her at the superstore.

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

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

Halifax police have no new information

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

An agency spokesperson declined to provide further information about what has already been released when reached by USA TODAY Friday morning.

“The investigation is complex and involves several partner agencies,” Halifax police said in a statement Tuesday. “Such an investigation could take a significant amount of time.”

Walmart in Halifax remains closed

The Walmart location in Halifax will remain closed indefinitely after the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration issued a shutdown order for the bakery and one piece of equipment on Tuesday.

Walmart spokeswoman Amanda Moss confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday that the store will remain closed “until further notice” during the investigation.

“We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our employee and their family,” Moss said in the previous statement on Tuesday. “Our focus remains on looking after our employees and ensuring they have the support they need.”

Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]