by Miami, Florida — The family of a 32-year-old anesthesiologist who was found dead inside a walk-in freezer at a Miami Dollar Tree store has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $50 million in damages, alleging the business failed to protect customers from foreseeable dangers and ignored critical warning signs before her death.
The lawsuit, filed this week in Miami-Dade County, names Dollar Tree and a store manager as defendants in connection with the death of Massiell Garay Sanchez, whose body was discovered inside the freezer last December.
Doctor Found Dead After Entering Store Alone
According to court filings, Garay Sanchez entered the Dollar Tree store located at 968 SW Eighth Street on the night of December 13, 2025. The lawsuit states that she became trapped inside a walk-in freezer and was later found unresponsive by a store employee the following morning.
Police previously confirmed that Garay Sanchez entered the store alone and did not make a purchase. Investigators believe she made her way into a restricted, employee-only area where the freezer was located and remained there overnight.
Her death has left behind a husband, two children, and extended family members who are now seeking accountability through civil court.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligence and Safety Failures
The wrongful death lawsuit claims Dollar Tree had a legal duty to protect customers from “foreseeable risks of harm”, including hazards posed by walk-in freezers. The family argues the company failed to implement and enforce reasonable safety policies and procedures to prevent unauthorized access to dangerous areas.
The lawsuit also alleges the store failed to take reasonable action after Garay Sanchez became “missing or unaccounted for,” despite concerns being raised.
Key allegations in the lawsuit include:
- Failure to secure restricted employee-only areas
- Failure to monitor customer movement inside the store
- Failure to respond appropriately when a customer did not exit the premises
- Failure to enforce basic safety protocols around the freezer
The family is demanding a jury trial and damages exceeding $50 million.
Store Manager Named in the Lawsuit
In addition to Dollar Tree, the lawsuit names store manager Yanelkis Gonzalez as a defendant. The complaint alleges Gonzalez failed to properly secure dangerous areas, including the walk-in freezer.
More significantly, the lawsuit claims Gonzalez instructed a store employee not to review surveillance footage after learning that Garay Sanchez was missing and had not exited the store.
The family argues that reviewing surveillance footage sooner could have led to intervention while Garay Sanchez was still alive.
Police Say No Foul Play, But Questions Remain
Miami police have previously stated that foul play was ruled out early in the investigation. Detectives said Garay Sanchez was not forced into the freezer, and there was no evidence of a struggle.
Read Also: Ferndale Man Convicted of Murder After Shooting Delivery Driver in March 2025
According to a Miami police officer who spoke to local media, the freezer door was not blocked, and the unit was equipped with an internal emergency release mechanism, allowing it to be opened from the inside.
However, the lawsuit disputes whether those safety features were adequate or functional under real-world conditions, especially for a customer unfamiliar with employee-only equipment.
Police also confirmed they obtained surveillance video showing Garay Sanchez in the store minutes before she entered the freezer. That footage has not been publicly released.
Cause Still Unclear as Investigation Continues
Authorities have said it remains unclear why Garay Sanchez entered the freezer. Police confirmed that mental illness was not a factor in her death, adding another layer of mystery to the case.
While the criminal investigation did not result in charges, the civil lawsuit argues that preventable safety failures created the conditions that led to her death.
“The circumstances surrounding Dr. Garay Sanchez’s death should never have been possible in a properly managed retail environment,” the lawsuit contends.
Family Seeks Accountability and Change
Garay Sanchez was an anesthesiologist originally from Nicaragua, described by family members as dedicated to her patients and deeply devoted to her children. Her death inside a retail freezer has sparked widespread concern over store safety, employee oversight, and emergency response protocols.
The family says the lawsuit is not only about financial compensation, but also about preventing similar tragedies.
Legal experts note that wrongful death cases involving large corporations often hinge on whether hazards were foreseeable and whether reasonable steps were taken to reduce risk.
What Happens Next
Dollar Tree has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. The case will proceed through the Miami-Dade County court system, where both sides are expected to present evidence, including surveillance footage and internal safety policies.
As the legal battle unfolds, many questions remain about how a customer was able to access a restricted freezer area — and why no one realized she never left the store.
Do you believe retailers should be held liable for accidents in restricted areas, or does responsibility shift once a customer enters employee-only spaces? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
