A 32-year-old woman from Nicaragua was found dead inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree store in Miami, Florida, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her mysterious death.
Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was discovered by an employee inside the store’s freezer at 968 SW 8th Street in the Little Havana neighborhood on December 14, 2025, at 8 a.m. The employee called authorities after finding the body in what was described as a cooler area accessible from the stockroom.
Sanchez, a mother of two, was found naked inside the freezer. Miami Police responded to the scene after receiving the employee’s call reporting a deceased woman inside the business.
Surveillance footage shows Sanchez entered the Dollar Tree store on Saturday night before it closed at 10 p.m. on December 13. She did not make a purchase and instead entered a restricted employee-only area, according to surveillance footage from that evening.
Miami Police categorized the incident as an unclassified death pending further investigation. Authorities are awaiting the medical examiner’s report to determine the cause of death, which has not yet been released. No foul play is suspected in the case, though the investigation is ongoing.
Sanchez was an anesthesiologist from Nicaragua who specialized in congenital heart disease. Her two children remained in Nicaragua with family members while she was in Miami. She had been in Miami since December 4.
The victim’s cousin, Daniela Cortez, expressed frustration with the lack of information about what happened. “We’re not getting any answers,” Cortez said.
Stefany Pereira created a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with repatriation and funeral costs. The fundraiser aims to bring Sanchez’s body back to Nicaragua for a proper funeral and final resting place surrounded by loved ones. The campaign has raised over $18,000 toward its $20,000 goal.
The fundraising page described Sanchez as a devoted doctor and beloved mother whose work brought hope and healing to countless children and families.
Dollar Tree released a statement addressing the incident, confirming it is cooperating fully with authorities at this time.
Residents in the Little Havana neighborhood expressed shock upon learning about the discovery. Resident Margarita Puig told reporters, “I got to be honest with you, I’m totally devastated. I can’t believe in the Dollar Tree you’d find a dead body.” Another resident, Hugo Morales, said, “I think it’s crazy. I’ve never heard of something like that in my life.”
The circumstances leading to Sanchez’s entering the employee-only area remain unclear. Investigators continue to review evidence and examine surveillance footage from the store. Police have indicated they are speaking with family members to gather additional information about the case. Authorities have not released any timeline for when the final report will be completed or made available to the public.
The store is located in a busy commercial area of Little Havana, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in Miami known for its cultural vibrancy and close-knit community. The incident has drawn significant attention from residents who frequent the shopping district where the Dollar Tree is situated.
Sanchez’s family remembers her as a loving mother whose children were the center of her world. Her dedication to medicine and her work with pediatric patients suffering from congenital heart conditions defined both her career and character.
The case highlights questions about store security and access to restricted areas in retail establishments. While Dollar Tree has stated it is cooperating with the investigation, the company has not addressed specific questions about how Sanchez gained access to the employee-only section or what security measures were in place at the location.
Family members have expressed hope that the investigation will provide clarity about what happened during those critical hours between when Sanchez entered the employee-only area Saturday night and when she was discovered the following morning. The community has rallied around the family through donations to the fundraising campaign and by offering support during this difficult time.
