> At a Glance
> – Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, was discovered dead inside a Dollar Tree freezer on Dec. 14
> – Police video shows she walked into the freezer voluntarily; no foul play suspected
> – Cause of death still pending; family says they’re “not getting answers”
> – Why it matters: A Nicaraguan-trained doctor and mother of two died under unexplained circumstances in a restricted store area, raising urgent safety and communication questions.
Surveillance footage obtained by Miami police appears to show the last movements of Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, a physician and mother of two, before she was found dead inside a Dollar Tree freezer on December 14.
How Police Know There Was No Foul Play
A department spokesperson told News Of Los Angeles that investigators reviewed video from both the store’s security system and a relative’s phone. The footage confirms Sanchez entered the walk-in freezer on her own the previous evening and remained there overnight.
Because the video clearly places her inside the employee-only area without anyone else, detectives have ruled out foul play.
What the Videos Show
- Family video: Captures Sanchez moments before she entered the store
- Store footage: Documents her entering the freezer unaccompanied
> Miami Police spokesperson:
> “She went into the freezer on her own.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 13 | Evening | Sanchez enters Dollar Tree on SW 8th Street |
| Dec. 13 | Night | Walks into restricted freezer area alone |
| Dec. 14 | ~8 a.m. | Employee finds her unresponsive inside freezer |
| Dec. 21 | – | Cousin Daniela Cortez tells media family is “not getting any answers” |
Who Was Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez
Friends describe the 32-year-old as a dedicated Nicaraguan-trained anesthesiologist who specialized in congenital heart disease.
Stefany Pereira, organizer of a GoFundMe campaign, wrote:
> “She brought hope and healing to countless children and families.”
Sanchez was also a devoted mom to two young children.
Ongoing Questions
While police have dismissed mental-health issues as a factor, the medical examiner has not released a cause or manner of death.
Dollar Tree issued an earlier statement saying the company is “cooperating fully with the authorities” and extended “thoughts” to Sanchez’s loved ones, but the chain did not immediately respond to a new request for comment.
Key Takeaways
- Surveillance video shows Sanchez entered the freezer alone; police see no crime
- Cause of death remains undetermined, leaving the family searching for closure
- Dollar Tree continues to cooperate with investigators but has offered no new details
Until official autopsy results surface, relatives say they’re left “with a lot of questions” about how a routine shopping trip ended in tragedy.
