Family of Woman Found Dead in Miami Dollar Tree Freezer Files $50M Lawsuit

Lawsuit claims Dollar Tree was negligent in failing to prevent access to the freezer where the woman died.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:07pm

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The family of 32-year-old Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, whose body was found inside a walk-in freezer at a Miami Dollar Tree store, has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the retailer and the store's manager. The lawsuit claims Sanchez became trapped in the freezer and alleges Dollar Tree was negligent in failing to prevent her from accessing the freezer.

Why it matters

This tragic incident raises concerns about safety protocols and security measures at retail stores, especially in areas where the public has access. The lawsuit seeks accountability and could lead to changes in how stores manage their facilities to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Sanchez entered the Dollar Tree store on December 13 and her body was found the next day by an employee inside the walk-in freezer. Police say Sanchez walked into the store before it closed, did not make any purchases, and then made her way to the freezer in the back storage room, where she spent the night. The lawsuit claims Sanchez became trapped in the freezer and alleges Dollar Tree was negligent in failing to prevent her from accessing the freezer. It also claims the store manager was aware Sanchez was missing and did not take reasonable action to locate or assist her.

  • Sanchez entered the Dollar Tree store on December 13.
  • Sanchez's body was found by a Dollar Tree employee the next day, on December 14.

The players

Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez

A 32-year-old woman whose body was found inside a walk-in freezer at a Miami Dollar Tree store.

Dollar Tree

The retail chain where Sanchez's body was found.

Dollar Tree store manager

The manager of the specific Dollar Tree store where Sanchez's body was found, who is named in the lawsuit.

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What’s next

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and damages over $50 million. Dollar Tree has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for retail stores to have robust safety protocols and security measures in place to prevent public access to potentially dangerous areas like walk-in freezers. The lawsuit seeks accountability and could lead to industry-wide changes to improve customer and employee safety.