Support Pours in After Halifax Walmart Employee Gursimran Kaur’s Tragic Death, Over $60,000 Raised for Family

A wave of support has surged for the family of Gursimran Kaur, a 19-year-old employee tragically found dead inside a Halifax Walmart, with more than $63,000 raised in just under 24 hours through a GoFundMe campaign.

The Maritime Sikh Society launched the fundraiser with an initial goal of $50,000, which was surpassed within 10 hours due to an outpouring of donations from local and international supporters. The organization will continue accepting donations to accommodate the widespread desire to help Kaur’s grieving family.

“We have been receiving calls and messages from all over the world, and out of respect for everyone’s sentiments, we will keep the fundraiser open for now,” read an update on the GoFundMe page.

Kaur, described as a “young, beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams,” had immigrated to Nova Scotia with her mother a few years ago. Both mother and daughter worked at the Walmart store where Kaur’s body was discovered. Her father and brother, who remain in India, are now trying to join the family in Canada to support them through this devastating time.

The funds raised through the campaign will go directly to the family to help them cope with this tragedy.

Halifax Regional Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kaur’s death. Authorities responded to a call at the Walmart on Mumford Road at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and it was later confirmed that Kaur’s body was found in a large walk-in oven in the store’s bakery department. However, police have not yet disclosed further details regarding the cause or manner of her death.

The investigation is being treated as complex and involves several partner agencies, according to Halifax police. The process is expected to take a significant amount of time, with no timeline provided for when more information might be released.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has issued a stop-work order on the bakery and restricted the use of a specific piece of equipment. The Walmart store remains closed while the investigation continues, and no date for its reopening has been announced.

The tragic loss has struck a chord with the local community, with many paying their respects at a growing memorial outside the Walmart. Flowers, cards, and candles have been placed at a post in the parking lot, creating a somber scene as people remember the young woman and show solidarity with her grieving family.

In the meantime, Walmart has assured employees that they will continue to be paid for their scheduled shifts during the store’s closure. The company has also indicated that alternative work arrangements will be considered if the closure extends longer than anticipated.

As the community mourns this devastating loss, the investigation into Kaur’s death remains ongoing, leaving many unanswered questions about the tragic event.