Doctor Found Dead Inside Dollar Tree Freezer

Autopsy reveals doctor had been drinking before death, raising questions about circumstances

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A 32-year-old anesthesiologist named Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez was found dead inside a restricted area of a Dollar Tree store in Miami, Florida. The medical examiner's autopsy revealed that Sanchez had a blood alcohol level of 0.112% at the time of her death, above the legal limit of 0.08%. Her cause of death was listed as environmental hypothermia with alcohol use as a contributing factor. Sanchez's family is now suing the store and the manager, alleging she became trapped in the freezer and that the manager failed to locate or assist her.

Why it matters

This tragic incident raises questions about the safety protocols and employee training at discount retail stores, as well as the potential dangers of alcohol use and hypothermia. The lawsuit also highlights the need for clear policies and procedures to address situations where customers may become incapacitated or trapped on store premises.

The details

According to the reports, Dr. Sanchez entered the Dollar Tree store on the evening of December 13, 2026 and was found dead inside the walk-in freezer the next morning. Surveillance footage showed her walking into the employees-only area by herself, but she did not make any purchases. The medical examiner determined that Sanchez had a blood alcohol level of 0.112% at the time of her death. The lawsuit alleges that Sanchez became trapped in the freezer and that the store manager failed to take reasonable action to locate or assist her.

  • On December 13, 2026, Dr. Sanchez entered the Dollar Tree store in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami.
  • On December 14, 2026, Dr. Sanchez was found dead inside the walk-in freezer of the store.

The players

Dr. Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez

A 32-year-old anesthesiologist who was found dead inside a Dollar Tree freezer in Miami.

Dollar Tree

The discount retail chain where Dr. Sanchez was found dead.

Dollar Tree store manager

The manager of the Dollar Tree store where Dr. Sanchez was found dead, who is being sued by her family for allegedly failing to locate or assist her.

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What’s next

The judge in the lawsuit filed by Dr. Sanchez's family will decide whether to allow the case to proceed to a jury trial.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for improved safety protocols and employee training at discount retail stores to prevent similar accidents, as well as the dangers of alcohol use and hypothermia. The lawsuit also raises questions about store policies for addressing incapacitated or trapped customers.