A 32-year-old anesthesiologist and mother of two was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree store in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood on Sunday morning, Dec. 14, 2025. The Miami Police Department is investigating the death as an unclassified case with no foul play suspected at this time.
Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was discovered by a store employee around 8 a.m. inside a walk-in freezer located in the back storage room of the Dollar Tree at 968 SW 8th Street. The employee immediately contacted authorities after making the discovery. According to police, Sanchez’s body was unclothed when found inside the commercial freezer unit.
Investigators determined that Sanchez entered the store on Saturday night, Dec. 13, before closing time. Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed she did not make any purchases during her visit. At some point during the evening, she accessed an employee-only restricted area where the freezer was located and spent the night inside. Police confirmed Sanchez was not an employee of the store, raising questions about how she gained access to the back storage area.
The Miami Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Michael Vega, provided details about the ongoing investigation. “Female was located inside a walk-in freezer/cooler located in the store’s stockroom,” he stated. Officer K. Delva added that the case was “last being investigated as an unclassified death” with no indication of foul play at this time.
Originally from Nicaragua, Sanchez worked as an anesthesiologist specializing in congenital heart disease. Her two children remain in Nicaragua, where family members are now working to have her body repatriated for burial. A GoFundMe campaign was created to cover the costs of repatriation, transportation and funeral services in her home country.
The fundraising page described Sanchez’s dedication to her medical profession and her role as a mother. Her work reportedly brought hope and healing to pediatric patients and their families throughout her career. As of Monday evening, the campaign had raised nearly $10,000 toward the goal of returning her body to Nicaragua for a proper funeral surrounded by loved ones.
Miami police detectives are currently speaking with Sanchez’s family to gather additional details about the circumstances leading up to her death. Investigators are exploring whether she may have been experiencing a personal or mental health crisis at the time of the incident. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together the events of that evening.
The Dollar Tree location temporarily closed on Sunday morning while police conducted their initial investigation and processed the scene. The store reopened later the same day. Dollar Tree issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming the company’s cooperation with authorities during the investigation.
Local residents expressed shock and confusion upon learning about the discovery. Customer Gerardo Nunez told reporters, “It’s something painful, a family heartbroken now because of the death of a person, and we don’t know what truly happened.” Another shopper, Margarita Puid, described feeling devastated by the news.
An autopsy is expected to determine the official cause of death. Walk-in freezers in commercial settings typically maintain temperatures well below freezing to preserve perishable goods. The length of time Sanchez may have been inside the freezer before her discovery remains unclear, though police believe she entered the restricted area sometime Saturday evening and remained there overnight.
The case highlights questions about store security protocols and access to employee-only areas. Commercial retailers typically restrict access to back storage rooms and loading areas to authorized personnel only. It remains unclear how Sanchez was able to enter the restricted section of the store without being noticed by staff before closing time.
Police have not released additional details about what surveillance footage may have captured regarding Sanchez’s movements inside the store. Authorities continue to review evidence and communicate with family members as they work to understand the full circumstances surrounding her death.
The Miami Police Department has stated that additional updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available. The case remains classified as an unclassified death pending results from the medical examiner’s office.
Family members and friends continue to mourn the loss of Sanchez, whose career was dedicated to treating children with serious heart conditions. The fundraising effort to bring her home to Nicaragua reflects the family’s desire to honor her memory with a proper burial in her home country, where her children and extended family await her return.