Anesthesiologist Found Dead in Dollar Tree Freezer

Cause of death revealed as hypothermia with alcohol as contributing factor

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Florida officials have determined that Dr. Massiell Garay Sanchez, a 32-year-old anesthesiologist from Nicaragua, died from hypothermia after being found deceased in a Dollar Tree freezer in Miami. A toxicology report also found that alcohol was a contributing factor in her death.

Why it matters

The tragic death of Dr. Sanchez has raised questions about the safety and security measures in place at retail stores, especially in employee-only areas where customers may not have access. Her family has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Dollar Tree.

The details

According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office, Dr. Sanchez's cause of death was environmental hypothermia, with ethanol as a contributing factor. Her ethanol levels were 0.112 percent at the time of her death. The freezer where she was found was located in the employee-only area of the Dollar Tree store, and Sanchez did not make any purchases at the store.

  • On an unknown date in December, Dr. Sanchez was found deceased in a Dollar Tree freezer in Miami.
  • On February 12, 2026, Florida officials released the cause of death findings.

The players

Dr. Massiell Garay Sanchez

A 32-year-old anesthesiologist from Nicaragua who was found deceased in a Dollar Tree freezer in Miami.

Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office

The office that conducted the autopsy and toxicology report on Dr. Sanchez, determining her cause of death.

Dollar Tree

The discount retail chain where Dr. Sanchez was found deceased in an employee-only freezer area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Dr. Sanchez's family has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Dollar Tree in light of her death.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of retail stores ensuring the safety and security of all areas, including employee-only spaces, to prevent tragic incidents like this from occurring in the future.