Walmart employees have presented alternative theories regarding the death of 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, who was found charred in a walk-in oven at the store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 19. Following the tragic incident, various TikTok users who previously worked at Walmart shared their insights on the walk-in oven’s operation, suggesting that it would be impossible to accidentally get trapped inside without assistance.
TikTok user Chris Breezie demonstrated how the oven functions, stating that it can only be turned on from the outside and is challenging to close. She noted, “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 employees are not required to enter the oven for cleaning.
She further explained that the heavy door requires considerable effort to lock: “For it to close, one has to push [the latch] with all your might and pull the handle to the side and lock it in place.” Breezie speculated, “Now, somebody could throw me in there and lock me in there, but that’s a whole different scenario.”
Another Walmart employee shared a similar perspective, asserting that locking oneself inside the oven is nearly impossible. In a TikTok video, she showcased how to enter the oven and demonstrated the emergency release feature, stating, “I’m not trying to theorise or form a conspiracy; it’s just hard to wrap my head around it when Walmart’s bakery ovens are so safe to use.”
Meanwhile, Gursimran’s mother, who also worked at the store, discovered her daughter’s body during a frantic search after noticing a leak from the oven. “Imagine the horror that her mother experienced – who herself opened the oven. As you all know, her charred remains were found inside the walk-in oven in the bakery after a few hours,” a GoFundMe page for Gursimran read.
In response to the incident, Walmart expressed their condolences, stating, “We are heartbroken, and our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family. We extend our sincerest condolences to those who were closest to them. 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 counselling.”