Walmart Worker, 19, Found Dead in Store’s Walk-in Oven

An investigation is underway after a 19-year-old woman was found dead inside a walk-in bakery oven in a Walmart in Canada.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, at around 9:30 p.m. local time, Halifax Regional Police were “called to a sudden death at Walmart located at 6990 Mumford Road,” according to a Monday, Oct. 21, news release.

“A 19-year-old woman employed at the store was found deceased,” the release confirmed.

Police added that investigators were “working closely with Occupational Health and Safety and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to determine the cause and manner of death.”

In a further update posted on Tuesday, Oct. 22, police said the woman had been “located in a large walk-in oven belonging to the store’s bakery department.”

Authorities said in the release that an investigation was still ongoing and that it would be “complex” and involve “several partner agencies.”

“An investigation of this nature may take a significant amount of time,” police said, urging the public “to be mindful of sharing speculative information on social media.” 

“Please be aware of the impacts that speculation could have on family, colleagues and loved ones of the woman,” the release concluded.

Constable Martin Cromwell told reporters of the investigation on Monday, according to CBC: “We just want to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there is family members and co-workers involved.”

Cromwell had no additional information to share when contacted by PEOPLE.

According to CTV News, Walmart spokesperson Amanda Moss said staff were “heartbroken” in a statement on Sunday. 

The message added, “Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family. We extend our sincerest condolences to those who were closest to them,” per the outlet.

“We’re also supporting our associates during this incredibly difficult time and have provided access to 24/7 virtual care and will provide on-site support, including grief counseling,” the statement concluded.

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Moss told The Canadian Press in an email that the store was temporarily closed following the tragic incident.

The spokesperson declined to comment about whether “the woman was on shift when she died,” the news agency stated.

Novia Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration said in a statement to PEOPLE: “We extend sympathies to the employee’s family at this incredibly difficult time.”

“We can confirm a stop work order was issued October 22 for the bakery and one piece of equipment at Walmart at 6990 Mumford Road, Halifax,” the statement added.

“As this is an active investigation, we cannot release further details at this time. Please note, workplace investigations are complex and can take time,” the message concluded.

Satnam Singh Randhawa, chair of the Maritime Sikh Society board, confirmed the woman was a member of the Sikh community, according to CBC.

“It’s pretty distressing, you know, young people come here with all kinds of hopes and dreams and they’re working hard and then this is what happens,” Randhawa said, per the outlet.

Walmart Canada and the Maritime Sikh Society board did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for further information.