Candlelight vigil held to remember employee who died at Halifax Walmart
Warning: This story contains distressing details
Kkritika Suri
On Sunday night, a vigil was held for Gursimran Kaur, the 19-year-old woman found dead at a Halifax Walmart. Attendees lit candles and offered prayers outside the store, where her body was discovered inside a commercial bakery oven on October 19.
Friends and acquaintances of Kaur shared memories of her kind nature. "It's so bad," said Varinder Singh, who had briefly shared an apartment with Kaur and her mother when he first arrived in Halifax. "Nobody believes how it's possible. She's a very kind girl," he added.
More than 100 people attended the vigil, placing candles beside a memorial of flowers and cards in front of the store, which remains taped off. Many in the crowd had also moved from India, feeling a deep connection to Kaur’s family and a sense of shared loss. "We are just paying tribute to her," said Rajan Sood, who also knew her. "I feel she will rest, she will be in peace because we pray to God."
Several attendees voiced frustration over the lack of information released about her death, even two weeks later. Some people at the vigil didn’t know Kaur or her family personally but attended to show solidarity. "What the family is feeling right now we can't imagine because it's a very painful death, so we are with the family and hoping for justice," said Inder Kaur.
Kaur’s mother, also a Walmart employee who discovered her daughter’s body, was not present at the vigil. "She is in a bad situation," said Rimple Dhunna, who has visited to offer the community's support. "She wants answers. She is the one who has the right to know right away what happened to her daughter."
The Halifax Regional Police have stated that the investigation is complex and involves multiple partner agencies, which could make it lengthy.
In a statement Sunday night, Walmart expressed sympathy, calling it a tragic and challenging time for the family, community, and store staff. "Our associates wanted to attend tonight to grieve together and show their support," the statement read. Walmart also affirmed its ongoing cooperation with police to uncover how this tragedy occurred.
Meanwhile, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has lifted a stop-work order for the bakery and specific equipment, permitting bakery operations to resume. However, the store remains closed with no set reopening date.
