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Published 11:35 13 Jul 2026 GMT
A supermarket employee has spoken out after claiming she was instructed by a manager to keep the store open and conceal a customer's body following a fatal medical emergency.
The incident happened on July 5 at a Vons supermarket in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, where a shopper died after suffering a fatal medical emergency in the store's bakery aisle.
Store supervisor Paszion Horner-Smith told CBS Los Angeles that she and another employee attempted CPR, but despite their efforts, the customer could not be saved.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to reports of a cardiac arrest shortly after 7:00PM.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Horner-Smith said: "It's just something I've never, ever in my 27 years that I've worked for the company, ever encountered or dealt with."
According to Horner-Smith, while emergency crews were at the scene, she received a call from a corporate manager who had been monitoring the store's security cameras.
She claims she was instructed not to close the supermarket but instead to shield the deceased customer from view.
"I'm being called by someone in corporate because they're looking at the cameras, telling me that I need to barricade the body by using carts," she alleged.
Horner-Smith also said the customer's family remained inside the store for around four hours while waiting for a mortuary team to arrive.
During that time, she claims, they were unable to stay with their loved one as customers continued shopping nearby.
"They sat in the store for four hours while people continued to shop around their deceased loved one," she said.
Questioning the decision, Horner-Smith added: "How can anybody do that? I mean the lack of empathy is just horrible. It is horrific."
The supervisor said the experience left her so shaken that she took a week away from work to recover.
She is now calling on the retailer to introduce a clear policy for handling deaths in stores, urging the company to "do better."
Albertsons, the parent company of Vons, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Published 16:04 23 Oct 2024 GMT
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A teenage Walmart employee was tragically found dead inside a walk-in bakery oven inside of a store.
The incident occurred on Saturday night at a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Halifax Regional Police confirmed Tuesday that an investigation is underway.
"The woman, who was an employee of the store, was located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store's bakery department," police said in a statement.
Emergency services were called to the Walmart after the employee was found, but it remains unclear how long she had been inside the oven before the discovery.
While police have yet to determine the exact cause and manner of death, sources told Global News that the large baking oven was still operational when first responders arrived at the scene.
Investigators are collaborating with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) division and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
As of Tuesday, the cause and manner of death have not been determined, with police describing the situation as a "complex" investigation.
"An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time," police noted.
As a result of the ongoing probe, the Walmart store remains closed, with a spokesperson confirming the closure until further notice.
"We are heartbroken and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family," said Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss in a statement to ABC News.
"Our focus remains on taking care of our associates and making sure they have the support they need."
The young woman, a member of Halifax's local Sikh community, had moved to Canada just a few years ago.
Satnam Singh Randhawa, chair of the Maritime Sikh Society board, expressed the community’s sorrow.
“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,” Randhawa told CBC News.
Constable Martin Cromwell told CBC News: “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.”
According to Cromwell, police have not yet accessed certain areas of the store to preserve the integrity of the evidence.
“When that work is complete, HRP investigators and other agencies like [Occupational Health and Safety] will then be provided access,” he said.
Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy.
Published 14:19 26 Oct 2024 GMT
Police have once again spoken out as the investigation into the tragic death of a teenage Walmart employee continues.
On Sunday, Halifax Regional Police confirmed that 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur had died the night prior at a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
"The woman, who was an employee of the store, was located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store's bakery department," police said in a statement.
While police are still working to determine the exact cause and manner of death, sources told Global News earlier this week that the large baking oven was still operational when first responders arrived at the scene.
Investigators are collaborating with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) division and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
As of Tuesday, the cause and manner of death have not been determined, with police describing the situation as a "complex" investigation.
"An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time," police noted.
The Daily Mail later published audio reportedly from emergency officials responding to the tragedy, stating that the teenager had been "locked" inside the oven with the power turned on.
Now, Halifax Regional Police Constable Martin Cromwell has spoken out about the case, which he stressed in a statement to PEOPLE is "complex".
Police have stated that the case currently "involves several partner agencies" and that reaching definitive answers could "take a significant amount of time".
Given the tragic nature of the teenager's death, the story has been widely circulated on social media - drawing a range of unfounded theories in comments sections.
Police have therefore urged the public to refrain from sharing "speculative information" - highlighting the importance of being mindful at this time.
"Please be aware of the impacts that speculation could have on family, colleagues and loved ones of the woman," police said in a statement.
"Investigators are working closely with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the cause and manner of death," police added.
Responding to their employee's heartbreaking death, Walmart spokesperson Amanda Ross has also said in a statement: "Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family.
"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."
Additionally, it has been reported that the store will remain "closed until further notice" (per a statement released on October 25).
Following Kaur's death, a GoFundMe has been launched in her memory, with funds raised directly being donated to the teen's "bereaved family".
The online fundraiser describes Kaur as a "young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams". More than $194,000 CAD ($140,000 USD) has been raised as of this writing.
"This family's sufferings are unimaginable and indescribable,” organizers from the Maritime Sikh Society wrote. "They need your support to get through this horrific time."
Our thoughts continue to go out to Kaur's family and loved ones at this time.
Published 15:26 26 Oct 2024 GMT
The teenage Walmart employee who died after being "locked" in the store's bakery oven was allegedly discovered by her mom, those close to the family say.
On the night of Saturday (October 19), emergency services were called out to a Walmart store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, following the death of an employee.
The following day, Halifax Regional Police confirmed that a 19-year-old staff member - later identified as Gursimran Kaur - had died after being "located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store's bakery department".
Throughout the week, officials have released several statements to the press and public, stressing the "complex" nature of the case.
The Daily Mail had previously shared audio transcripts from the emergency services dispatcher, who said: "Female is locked in an oven in the bakery, oven is on, unsure if the staff are able to turn it off."
Investigators are collaborating with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) division and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and determine the exact cause and manner of death.
"An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time," police noted.
Additionally, officials have asked the public to refrain from sharing "speculative information" on social media. "Please be aware of the impacts that speculation could have on family, colleagues and loved ones of the woman," police added in a statement.
Following the tragedy, the Maritime Sikh Society launched a GoFundMe in order to raise funds for Kaur's devastated family. As of this writing, the fundraiser has been paused after an incredible $194,000 CAD ($140,000 USD) was raised.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the Maritime Sikh Society spoke out about the fundraiser, saying: "We are a Sikh Gurdwara, the biggest in Atlantic provinces in Canada. This fundraising started with permission from the immediate family, and all the proceedings will go to [Gursimran's] mother."
Per the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Satnam Singh Randhawa, chair of the Maritime Sikh Society board, confirmed the teenager was a member of the Sikh community, with the GoFundMe description calling her a "young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams".
Elsewhere in the description, the Maritime Sikh Society shared more alleged details of the teenager's death.
On the night of October 19, Gursimran's mother - who also worked at the Walmart - allegedly attempted to find her daughter after not having seen her for about an hour. "She asked around, but everyone brushed aside thinking that she may be somewhere helping a customer, the GoFundMe reads.
The mom became more concerned after her daughter's phone became unreachable. "It was unusual for her to switch her phone off during the day," the page adds.
After reaching out to the onsite admin for assistance, the Maritime Sikh Society alleges that the teen's mom eventually discovered the remains of her daughter inside the oven.
They wrote: "Imagine the horror that her mother experienced when she opened the oven, when someone pointed it out to her!"
Constable Martin Cromwell said in an email to PEOPLE on October 25 that there are currently no updates "at this time."
Additionally, an update on the GoFundMe page reads: "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.
"At this time, we have decided to turn off donations as we begin the process of distributing the funds to the family. Your contributions will help them in their next steps, and we cannot thank you enough for standing with them during this painful period.
"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."
A spokesperson from Walmart told PEOPLE: "Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family.
"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."
Our thoughts continue to go out to Gursimran’s family and loved ones at this time.
Published 16:52 19 Nov 2024 GMT
Published 20:01 09 Jun 2023 GMT
A clerk in a gas station messaged her friends fearing for her safety while she was working the night shift, and she tragically lost her life an hour later.
Tava Woodard, 23, began her shift at Roadrunner Market in Johnson City, Tenn, at around midnight after being dropped off by her friend, as reported by PEOPLE.
The shift on June 2 got off to an unnerving start as the store was hit by petty shoplifters and she texted her mom and friends that she felt unsafe and wanted to find a new job.
Shortly after, two men entered the store and demanded to have the money from the cash register. Woodard complied with their demands, but then the men allegedly proceeded to murder her.
Her mother Melissa Jones, 45, spoke to PEOPLE, saying: "From what I’m hearing none of them [the staff] were feeling very safe - this is all over the place so I’ll go ahead and say it. All of her coworkers have stated that the panic button under the counter wasn’t working - and wasn’t even hooked up."
Authorities revealed that a father and son were arrested on Tuesday in connection with her death, after entering the store "covered head to toe" and ultimately murdering the 23-year-old.
"I won’t get into specifics, but the police have told me that she was very calm, very composed and that they were amazed at hearing how old she was and how well she maintained her composure and calmness," Jones added.
Woodard had turned 23 just a week before she was killed, and following her death the community in the Appalachian mountains have rushed to support the family.
Jones said: "I’ve gotten so many messages and phone calls from people that cared about her, that talk about how wonderful she was and what a bright light she was for them."
She revealed that her daughter "always had a smile on her face" and that she was a comforting presence to be around.
Woodard was an outspoken activist for human rights and was highly supportive of her brother who has Asperger's Syndrome, always ensuring that he was safe at school and at home.
As reported by WJHL, Johnson City Police Chief Billy Church said: "In my almost 30 years of law enforcement experience, this case is one of the most heartbreaking that I’ve come across."
The accused killers have been named by Washington County Sheriff as 41-year-old Mark Anthony Sexton Jr and his 18-year-old son Mark Anthony Sexton III.
Both men were charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery while the father had driving an unregistered vehicle added onto his charges, and the 18-year-old had possible firearm commission of dangerous felony and tampering with evidence added on.
Following Woodard's death, a GoFundMe page has been set up in order to support her family and the funeral costs, which is set to take place on June 10.
Out of the intended $100,000 goal, $34,300 has been raised by 658 donors as people have flocked to offer their support following the devastating ordeal.
Our thoughts are with Woodard's family at this time.
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