GoFundMe Campaign for Family of Teen Walmart Employee Found Dead in Oven Raises Over $140K

Mar. 15, 2025

Gursimran Kaur, 19-Year-Old Walmart employee who died in store walk-in oven.Photo:GoFundMe

GoFundMe

Support has been shown for the family of the 19-year-old Walmart worker who wasfound dead inside a walk-in ovenat one of the company’s stores in Canada earlier this month.The Maritime Sikh Society, which Gursimran Kaur’s family is a part of, shared in an update onGoFundMeon Friday, Oct. 25, that they had raised over $140,000 ($194,000 Canadian dollars) in funds to benefit her “bereaved family” — some of whom had been in India trying to fly to Canada for Kaur’s funeral.“We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has donated to support Gursimran Kaur’s family during this unimaginable time. Your kindness and generosity have been a source of strength for the family as they navigate through this tragedy,” an individual with the group wrote.They then explained that they decided to “turn off donations” in order to “begin the process of distributing the funds to the family,” adding that the contributions “will help them in their next steps.”"… We cannot thank you enough for standing with them during this painful period,” the individual added. “Thank you again for your support, your compassion, and for being a part of this effort to help Gursimran’s family in their time of need.”Halifax Regional Police said in a pair ofnews releasesthat Kaur was found dead inside abakery department ovenin a Halifax Walmart store the night of Saturday, Oct. 19.The Maritime Sikh Society shared on the GoFundMe page that Kaur, described as “a young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams,” had been at the store with her mother, who was unable to contact or find her for an hour.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Her mother eventually discovered her inside the oven. Both Kaur and her mother had worked at the Walmart store for two years.Constable Martin Cromwell told PEOPLE on Friday, Oct. 25, that police have not determined how the woman got inside the oven. He added that the investigation is “complex.“A Walmart store.GettyWalmart spokesperson Amanda Moss told PEOPLE in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 23, that staff were “heartbroken” over Kaur’s death. She also announced that the store will be closed “until further notice.”“Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family,” Moss said. “Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need. As police have stated, this is a very complex matter and the investigation is ongoing.“A Walmart spokesperson declined to comment about whether “the woman was on shift when she died,” according toThe Canadian Press.

Support has been shown for the family of the 19-year-old Walmart worker who wasfound dead inside a walk-in ovenat one of the company’s stores in Canada earlier this month.

The Maritime Sikh Society, which Gursimran Kaur’s family is a part of, shared in an update onGoFundMeon Friday, Oct. 25, that they had raised over $140,000 ($194,000 Canadian dollars) in funds to benefit her “bereaved family” — some of whom had been in India trying to fly to Canada for Kaur’s funeral.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has donated to support Gursimran Kaur’s family during this unimaginable time. Your kindness and generosity have been a source of strength for the family as they navigate through this tragedy,” an individual with the group wrote.

They then explained that they decided to “turn off donations” in order to “begin the process of distributing the funds to the family,” adding that the contributions “will help them in their next steps.”

“… We cannot thank you enough for standing with them during this painful period,” the individual added. “Thank you again for your support, your compassion, and for being a part of this effort to help Gursimran’s family in their time of need.”

Halifax Regional Police said in a pair ofnews releasesthat Kaur was found dead inside abakery department ovenin a Halifax Walmart store the night of Saturday, Oct. 19.

The Maritime Sikh Society shared on the GoFundMe page that Kaur, described as “a young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams,” had been at the store with her mother, who was unable to contact or find her for an hour.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Her mother eventually discovered her inside the oven. Both Kaur and her mother had worked at the Walmart store for two years.

Constable Martin Cromwell told PEOPLE on Friday, Oct. 25, that police have not determined how the woman got inside the oven. He added that the investigation is “complex.”

A Walmart store.Getty

Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss told PEOPLE in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 23, that staff were “heartbroken” over Kaur’s death. She also announced that the store will be closed “until further notice.”

“Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family,” Moss said. “Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need. As police have stated, this is a very complex matter and the investigation is ongoing.”

A Walmart spokesperson declined to comment about whether “the woman was on shift when she died,” according toThe Canadian Press.

source: people.com