Victim of Walmart workplace death was 19, Halifax police say

Halifax Regional Police are investigating the sudden death of a 19-year-old woman while she was working at a Walmart in the city's west end.

Police reported that they received a call to the store on Saturday night around 9:30 p.m. and found the woman deceased.

Investigators are working closely with the provincial Labour Department and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner to determine the cause of the employee's death, as stated in a news release on Monday.

Authorities have not disclosed whether they suspect any criminal circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

Const. Martin Cromwell addressed reporters on Monday afternoon, noting that the investigation is in its early stages and refraining from providing additional details, including the specific location within the store where the woman died.

"The investigation is complex," he stated. "We just want to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there are family members and co-workers involved."

Cromwell mentioned that the Mumford Road store was open to customers when police were called, but it was later closed and remained shut on Monday.

Satnam Singh Randhawa, chair of the Maritime Sikh Society board, confirmed that the woman was part of the Sikh community. "It's pretty distressing, you know, young people come here with all kinds of hopes and dreams and they're working hard, and then this is what happens," he remarked.

Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss stated that the company is offering staff members access to 24/7 virtual care and on-site support, including grief counseling. She did not specify when the store would reopen or provide further details about the employee.

"We are heartbroken, and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family," Moss said in a statement to CBC News. "We extend our sincerest condolences to those who were closest to them."

In a statement to CBC News on Sunday, the Labour Department acknowledged awareness of the situation and indicated that police are managing the scene. On Monday, the department declined an interview request.

"We are unable to share further information at this time," the department stated, adding that it extends sympathies to the employee's family.

Police issued a news release late Saturday night, asking the public to avoid the area while they conducted their investigation.

On Monday morning, a police vehicle remained stationed outside the store.