Canadian authorities have ruled out foul play after the charred remains of a teenage Walmart employee were found inside a walk-in oven last month.
Police have now closed its investigation one month after Gursimran Kaur, 19, was cooked to death inside the Halifax, Nova Scotia, Walmart’s large walk-in bakery oven – with her mother, who also worked at the superstore, making the horrifying discovery on Oct. 19.
“The police investigation determined the death is not suspicious and there is no evidence of foul play,” the Halifax Police Department announced Monday.
“Investigators met with family to share this update and extend condolences. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”
Police, who initially called the investigation “complex,” did not indicate a cause or manner of death.
Kaur and her mother, both immigrants from India who worked at the Mumford Road Walmart for the last two years, went more than an hour without speaking – sending the mother into hysteria, according to a GoFundMe set up by the Gurudwara Maritime Sikh Society.
Co-workers thought Kaur was helping a customer in the massive store but her mother became increasingly worried after her daughter stopped answering her phone, which is unlike her.
The distressed mother eventually opened the oven door after another staff member noticed “leakage” coming from the area hours later – and was confronted with the traumatic scene.
“Gursimran Kaur was only 19 years old, a young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams,” a family spokesperson wrote on the fundraiser page.
“Imagine the horror that her mother experienced when she opened the oven. The family’s suffering is unimaginable and indescribable.”
Kaur was a member of the local Sikh community and had only lived in Canada for three years.
The teen’s father and brother reside in India and are trying to travel to Canada, with proceeds raised in the GoFundMe benefiting the grieving family and travel expenses.
The fundraiser has since raised more than $194,000.
The retailer has remained closed since the grim incident as it conducts renovations, which includes removing all walk-in ovens.
“Our deepest thoughts remain with the family and our associates as they continue to grieve,” Walmart Canada spokesperson Amanda Moss told USA Today.
“Our store remains closed as we complete the renovations that were already underway. We look forward to welcoming customers back to a remodeled store in the coming weeks.”