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More than a month after the discovery of the body of Nicaraguan Helen Massiell Garay Sánchez in the freezer of a Dollar Tree store in Miami, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office has released the autopsy results, shedding light on the last moments of the young Nicaraguan mother.
According to the official report, the cause of death was “environmental hypothermia”, which refers to a drastic drop in body temperature due to exposure to an extremely cold environment.
The curious fact is that the report adds that the consumption of ethanol was a "contributing factor," as a blood alcohol level of 0.112% was found, exceeding the legal limit allowed for driving.
The presence of ethanol was also confirmed in the vitreous humor with a concentration of 0.156%, which reinforces the hypothesis that Garay Sánchez had ingested alcohol before entering the freezer.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 35°C. If not treated promptly, it can lead to heart failure, respiratory arrest, and death.
The discovery, which took place on the morning of December 14, 2025, shook the Hispanic community in South Florida and sparked a legal controversy that is still unfolding.
What happened the night before?
Security cameras and the reconstruction of events indicate that Helen Garay Sánchez entered the Dollar Tree store located at 968 Southwest 8th Street in Miami on December 13, shortly before closing time.
He did not make any purchases. Instead of going to the areas open to the public, he accessed— for reasons that are still unclear— a restricted area for employees, and subsequently entered the freezer of the back storage room.
Her body, completely naked, was found by an employee the following morning, around 8:00 a.m., inside the freezer.
The police initially ruled out the involvement of third parties, stating that she "entered the freezer alone" and that there were no signs of criminal behavior.
It was also dismissed that the woman suffered from a mental condition that would explain her behavior.
A police source confirmed that the freezer had an emergency opening mechanism, but there is no evidence that Sánchez attempted to activate it or that he was in a condition to do so due to his state.
The woman behind the case: Mother and doctor
Helen Massiell Garay Sánchez was an anesthesiologist in Nicaragua, specializing in congenital heart diseases, and was visiting the United States.
She was married and the mother of two young children who remain in her home country.
According to family and friends, he "dedicated his life to medicine," and his commitment to pediatric patients was remarkable.
"She brought hope and healing to countless children and families," reads a page on GoFundMe created to help with the costs of repatriation and funerals.
A multimillion-dollar lawsuit for negligence
After the facts became known, Garay Sánchez's family filed a lawsuit for wrongful death for 50 million dollars against the Dollar Tree chain and the store manager.
The court document states that the woman was accidentally trapped in the freezer and that the company failed to take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access to a high-risk area.
Furthermore, it is claimed that the manager was “formally notified” that Sánchez was missing and had not left the premises, yet no actions were taken to search for her or to inspect the facilities.
The complaint accuses Dollar Tree of failing to establish "reasonable safety protocols" to protect customers from "foreseeable risks of harm," such as industrial freezers. Compensation is also being sought for funeral expenses, repatriation costs, and legal fees.
Dollar Tree's stance and the closure of the police investigation
In its public statements, the company has maintained a stance of prudence.
"We are aware of this tragic incident and extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. We are fully cooperating with the authorities," they reiterated in statements to various media outlets.
Although the criminal investigation found no evidence of a crime or direct criminal liability, the civil process is progressing and could set a precedent regarding the responsibilities of stores concerning customer access to restricted areas.
Questions that remain unanswered
Although the autopsy and security recordings have clarified key aspects of the case, questions still persist:
Why did Sánchez access the freezer?
Was he in an altered state of consciousness due to alcohol?
Did you notice the presence of the exit mechanism?
Was there negligence in not closing access to dangerous areas for the public?
These are some of the questions that will need to be clarified in the courts while Helen Garay Sánchez's family cries out for justice from Nicaragua.
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