A 32-year-old physician from Nicaragua was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree store in Miami, Florida, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was discovered by an employee at approximately 8 a.m. on December 14, 2025, at the Dollar Tree location at 968 SW 8th Street in the Little Havana neighborhood.
The Miami Police Department responded to the scene after the employee reported finding a deceased woman inside the business. Officers discovered Sanchez’s body inside a freezer in the back storage room of the store.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows Sanchez entered the store on December 13, 2025, shortly before closing. She did not make a purchase and accessed an employee-only restricted area before spending the night in the back storage room freezer. Her body was found naked the following morning.
The Miami Police Department has described the incident as an unclassified death. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected at this time. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives examine mental health issues and await findings from the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner.
Sanchez’s cousin, Daniela Cortez, expressed frustration with the lack of information. “We don’t know how this happened either,” she said. “And we’re not getting any answers.”
The victim specialized in congenital heart disease. She had been visiting family in Miami while her two children remained in Nicaragua.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Stefany Pereira has been established to help repatriate Sanchez’s body to Nicaragua for funeral services. The fundraiser describes her as a physician who dedicated her life to medicine, working with children suffering from congenital heart disease.
“Her compassion, skill and commitment to saving young lives defined both her career and her character,” Pereira wrote on the fundraising page.
The campaign set a goal of $20,000 to cover repatriation, transportation and funeral expenses in Nicaragua. As of recent reports, the fundraiser has raised $18,000 toward that target.
Dollar Tree has issued a statement indicating the company is cooperating fully with authorities investigating the incident. The chain has not provided additional details about security measures or how Sanchez was able to access the restricted area.
The case has raised questions among local residents about store security and the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Community members who learned of the discovery expressed shock and concern about the incident occurring at a frequently visited retail location in the Little Havana neighborhood.
The Miami Police Department continues to review evidence and conduct interviews as part of the ongoing investigation. Detectives are working with family members to understand any factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The family of Sanchez has expressed their desire for answers as they grapple with the sudden loss. They are seeking closure while working to bring her body home to Nicaragua, where she can be laid to rest surrounded by loved ones.
The medical examiner’s report is expected to provide crucial information about the cause and manner of death, which will help investigators determine the full sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome.