Halifax police say no evidence of foul play in death of employee at Walmart bakery

Nova Scotia's Department of Labour is now leading the investigation into the sudden death of a 19-year-old employee at a Halifax Walmart bakery after police said there was no evidence of foul play.

On Monday, Halifax Regional Police said they have ruled Gursimran Kaur's death as not suspicious.

The body of Kaur was found in a commercial oven in the store bakery on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 19. 

"This remains an active investigation, and as such, we are unable to provide further details at this time," the labour department said in a statement to CBC News on Monday. 

The department said workplace investigations are complex and take time. 

It said a stop-work order on the oven and bakery area at the Walmart store on Mumford Road was lifted after the oven was "assessed and determined to have been operating as per the manufacturer's requirements."

The department explained no one was available to do an interview on Monday because "the department is not able to grant interviews during an election period." Nova Scotia voters go to the polls on Nov. 26. 

Police did not say how Kaur died

Halifax Regional Police offered a short update in a news release on the case Monday, but did not say how Kaur died, only that the death was not suspicious.

Const. Martin Cromwell said police conducted interviews and reviewed video footage to determine if there was any criminality. 

"We do not believe anyone else was involved in the circumstances surrounding the woman's death," he said in a video message posted Monday afternoon.

He said he didn't expect the police force to release any further updates. 

"We acknowledge the public's interest in this case and that there are questions that may never have answers," said Cromwell. "Please be mindful of the damage public speculation can cause. This woman's loved ones are grieving."

Kaur immigrated to Canada with her mother about two years ago. She was described as a "young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams," in an online fundraising page organized by the Maritime Sikh Society. 

The society said Kaur's body was found by her mother, who also worked at the store.

The Mumford Road store remained closed on Monday. 

Walmart said last week the bakery oven was being removed from the store. Removing the oven had always been part of a standard remodel program being implemented across the country, the company said.

WATCH | Halifax police say no evidence of foul play in death of employee at Walmart bakery:

Police rule out foul play in Halifax Walmart death

13 days ago

Duration 1:35

Halifax Regional Police say the death of a woman who was found inside a commercial oven is not suspicious, but as Preston Mulligan reports, the provincial Labour Department is still investigating.