Body of female doctor discovered inside Dollar Tree freezer in Miami

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - An American female doctor was found de@d inside a Florida Dollar Tree freezer, a day after she entered the store

According to CBS News, an employee at the store's Miami location discovered the n@ked and unresponsive woman, identified as Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez, 32, inside the freezer chest around 8am Sunday,

The anesthesiologist entered the store in the Little Havana neighborhood the night before but did not purchase anything, police said. 

Investigators said the mother-of-two is believed to have made her way to the employees-only area of the store, where the freezer is located, and stayed there overnight. 

It is unclear why Sanchez, who is not an employee at the discount store, would have entered the restricted area. 

Investigators have ruled out foul play and are looking into it as an 'unclassified death,' the Miami Police Department said.

The doctor is from Nicaragua and specialized in congenital heart disease, according to a GoFundMe page. 

'Her work brought hope and healing to countless children and families.

Her compassion, skill, and commitment to saving young lives defined both her career and her character,' the page read. 

Her loved ones are now working on getting Sanchez's body sent back to Nicaragua, where her two children, who 'were the center of her world,' live. 

'Her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will always be remembered,' the page continued. 

As of Monday afternoon, nearly $6,000 had been raised to help the late doctor's family.  

The store she was found in remained closed while police investigated further, but re-opened its doors later Sunday. 

Store customers were left in shock after hearing of the grisly discovery. 

'It's something painful, a family heartbroken now because of the death of a person, and we don't know what truly happened,' one patron told WPLG. 

Another customer, Margarita Puid, echoed their concern. 

'I got to be honest with you, I'm totally devastated,' she told CBS News. 'I can't believe in the Dollar Tree you'd find a dead body.'

Hugo Morales, another shopper, told the outlet: 'I think it's crazy. I've never head of something like that in my life.'  

Police are in contact with Sanchez's family and are looking to see if she had any mental or personal issues, the outlet reported.