A physician and mother of two died mysteriously in South Florida, but police do not expect foul play. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, reportedly entered a Dollar Tree store at 968 Southwest Eighth Street in Miami before closing on December 13, 2025. She didn’t purchase anything and apparently never left the store. Somehow, Sanchez made her way into an employee-only area of the store and into a freezer. Tragically, she spent the evening inside, and an employee found her deceased on December 14. Now her family’s raising money to help with her final expenses as the year comes to a devastating end.
According to Local 10, an employee found Garay Sanchez around 8 a.m. The worker contacted police, who determined the victim did not work at the store. Investigators also found no one forced her into the freezer. They are working with the woman’s family to get any insight into what may have happened. As news of the woman’s death spread, the community shared its shock.
“It’s something painful, a family heartbroken now because of the death of a person, and we don’t know what truly happened,” customer Gerardo Nunez told Local 10.
Garay Sanchez’s loved ones created a GoFundMe account to help with her final expenses and taking her body back to her home country of Nicaragua. She reportedly dedicated herself to her profession as an “anesthesiologist specializing in congenital heart disease.”
“Beyond her profession, she was a loving mother to two children, who remain in Nicaragua and were the center of her world. Her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will always be remembered,” the GoFundMe explained in a translation from Spanish. “Dr. Helen Garay passed away following a tragic accident while abroad. Her family’s greatest wish is to bring her home to Nicaragua so she may receive a proper funeral and final resting place surrounded by loved ones.”
They’ve raised nearly $10,000 thus far. Dollar Tree shared a statement with Local 10 regarding the physician’s shocking death.
“We are aware of this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the individual’s family and loved ones. We are cooperating fully with the authorities at this time,” the company expressed.
Investigators stated they’re looking into whether Garay Sanchez may have been experiencing any personal or mental health crisis at the time of her death.
What a sad ending to what appeared to be a happy and successful life. May her family find peace during this tragic time.
