It’s almost a month since the horrific death of a 19-year-old Walmart employee at the company’s Halifax store and many questions remain unanswered.
The burned remains of Gursimran Kaur, an immigrant to Canada, were discovered by her mother inside the bakery’s walk-in oven at the Mumford Road Supercentre on October 19.
Gursimran Kaur was found dead inside an oven while working at Walmart in Halifax.
Source: GoFundMe
The store has been closed ever since and while there is some activity in and out of the Supercentre, it appears there are no firm plans to re-open soon.
Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss tells our newsroom that renovations inside the store have resumed, and the company has not determined a timeline for their completion.
“The store has been undergoing renovations for several months as part of our standard remodel program. Out of respect, we paused construction immediately after this tragic event. While the store remains closed, we will resume work on these previously-planned renovations,” explained Moss. “At this time, we don’t have a confirmed timeline for completion. Our store remains closed until further notice.”
Earlier this month, our newsroom first reported the commercial oven Kaur was found inside, was being removed and plans to do so were made even prior to her death.
“Removing the oven had always been part of the standard remodel program we are implementing across the country. The oven will be removed from this store and will no longer be used,” Moss said in an email on November 5.
A police investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding her death, but police have yet to provide an update on the progress or reveal if the death was accidental or criminal in nature.
The time it is taking for answers has led to unrest in the community and calls for an update from police.
A vigil was held outside the store on November 3 and more than 100 people lit candles and honoured the teen and her family.
Vigil held outside Halifax Walmart after teen found dead in bakery oven. Photo: Sébastian Labelle
Investigators previously said the case is complex and it could take a long time.
A fundraiser by the Maritime Sikh Society raised almost $200,000 for the family to help bring Kaur’s father and brother to Canada.
