Canadian police are continuing their investigation into the bizarre death of 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, whose charred remains were found in an oven at a Walmart store in Halifax. The Indian Sikh girl's tragic death has shocked community members in Canada, who have organized an online fundraiser to help her struggling family members.

Who was Gursimran Kaur?

According to an online GoFundMe fundraiser, Gursimran moved to Canada with dreams of a promising future. Kaur and her mother, originally from Ludhiana in Punjab, moved to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2021. They found jobs at the store about two years ago.

Gursimran's brother and father continued to live in India and efforts are reportedly underway to bring them to Canada. The campaign said police were investigating the case and could not provide further details.

How did she die?

On one fateful day, Gursimran's mother tried to locate her daughter as “it was unusual for her to turn off her phone during the day.” When she sought help, other employees dismissed her concerns, thinking Gursimran might be busy helping other customers.

Gursimran's mother was opening the store's walk-in oven when someone pointed out the “leak” coming from it. The sun reported. “Imagine the horror her mother felt when she opened the oven and someone pointed it out to her!” reads a fundraising appeal.

Maritime Sikh Society president Harjit Singh Seyan told Hindustan Times that both the mother and the victim were regulars at their gurdwara in Halifax. “The community is shocked. It's pretty disturbing and tragic news. We are trying to provide all moral and financial support,” he said. They have also provided psychological support for their family and friends.