The recent death of Gursimran Kaur, a 19-year-old Walmart employee of Indian origin, has sparked a flurry of online theories and discussions among workers and social media users. Kaur’s charred body was discovered in a walk-in oven at a Walmart outlet in Halifax, Canada, on October 19. Her tragic death has raised questions and spurred speculation about how she might have ended up in such a hazardous situation.
Several Walmart employees and TikTok users have shared their insights into the situation, focusing on the operational mechanics of the bakery oven. According to Hindustan Times, many have pointed out that getting accidentally trapped inside this type of oven seems unlikely due to its design.
One TikTok user named Chris Breezie, who is familiar with Walmart’s oven setup, shared a video demonstrating how the walk-in oven functions. Breezie explained that the oven is designed to be controlled externally, requiring significant effort to close and operate. The heavy oven door, she said, takes considerable strength to secure. Breezie herself mentioned, “I don’t even know if I would fit in here. I’m 5 foot 1, medium-built. I would have to crouch down to get in,” adding that no employee is typically required to enter the oven for cleaning purposes.
While Breezie concluded that it would be difficult for someone to lock themselves inside by accident, she did not rule out the possibility of foul play. “Now, somebody could throw me in there and lock me in, but that’s a whole different scenario,” she noted, subtly suggesting an alternative theory.
Another Walmart employee shared similar observations on TikTok, explaining that the oven includes a safety release mechanism, which allows anyone inside to exit with ease. This employee stated, “I’m not trying to theorize or form a conspiracy; it’s just hard to wrap my head around it when Walmart’s bakery ovens are so safe to use.”
Gursimran Kaur had been working at the Halifax Walmart alongside her mother for two years before the incident. Her family had moved to Canada from India nearly three years ago, with Kaur’s father and brother remaining in India. In the aftermath of this tragedy, the Sikh Society has been assisting the family in seeking faster immigration processing so that they can reunite in Canada as soon as possible.
In light of Kaur’s death, Walmart has temporarily closed the Halifax location where she worked. A spokesperson from Walmart informed Fortune that the company is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of her death. While authorities have not disclosed further details about the investigation, Kaur’s tragic case has highlighted the concerns surrounding employee safety and the importance of rigorous equipment checks in high-risk workplaces.
The incident has brought a wave of sympathy and concern across social media, with many users calling for a thorough and transparent investigation. As questions linger, the online community continues to seek answers, hoping for justice and clarity in the face of this tragic loss.
