New Insights Emerge in the Case of Woman Found Dead in Miami Dollar Tree Freezer: The Mystery of Her Nakedness

The tragic discovery of a Nicaraguan doctor's lifeless body inside a freezer at a Dollar Tree in Miami has taken a disturbing turn: the woman was found completely naked.

This revelation, which initially fueled widespread speculation, now points to a rare medical phenomenon known as "paradoxical undressing," associated with extreme hypothermia effects.

As police investigations continue with no signs of foul play or arrests, emerging details suggest that 32-year-old Helen Massiell Garay Sánchez may have died accidentally, in a situation as unusual as it is unsettling.

Unraveling the Mystery: Naked in an Industrial Freezer

The question has been pervasive since the news broke: what would lead someone to undress inside an industrial freezer?

Helen's body was discovered unclothed, immediately raising suspicions of violence. However, authorities have yet to find any evidence of physical assault or crime.

A compelling hypothesis gaining traction is the phenomenon known as "paradoxical undressing," observed in about 25% of severe hypothermia deaths. This neurological deterioration, caused by prolonged cold exposure, leads victims to experience a false sensation of warmth or "internal burning."

“After extended exposure to freezing temperatures, some individuals suffer neurological deterioration, causing hallucinations and a sensation of internal burning, which they mistake for heat,” specialists explained, as reported by Univision.

Under this illusion, individuals may begin to remove their clothing just before slipping into a coma and dying. Although not officially confirmed, this theory has been suggested by those close to Helen as the most plausible explanation and could be supported by pending autopsy results.

A Visitor from Nicaragua: Helen's Brief Stay in the U.S.

Adding to the complexity of the case is the fact that Helen Garay was not a U.S. resident. She had traveled from Managua, Nicaragua, on December 5th to visit her father, intending to return home on the 15th. Her visit was a brief family trip, characterized by normalcy, according to her acquaintances.

An anesthesiologist specializing in congenital heart disease—the only one with such training in her country, according to her circle—Helen was a mother of two children who remain in Nicaragua.

“Beyond her profession, she was a loving mother of two children, who were the center of her world,” reads the description on a GoFundMe campaign created to repatriate her remains. “In memory of Dr. Helen Garay, a dedicated doctor and beloved mother, who tragically passed away on 12/14/2025 at 32 years old,” the post continues.

A Fatal Night in Dollar Tree

According to information released by the Miami-Dade police, Helen entered the Dollar Tree store alone on the night of Saturday, December 13th. Surveillance cameras show she did not make any purchases and ventured into the employee area where the industrial freezer was located. The store closed at 10:00 p.m., and she never exited.

The following Sunday morning, an employee opening the store made the grim discovery. The establishment was temporarily closed while officers inspected the site and reviewed footage. No signs of struggle or violence were reported, nor has there been mention of any psychiatric history or incidents that could explain a mental health crisis.

Open Investigation and Family Grief

The police have not issued any conclusions. The investigation is still determining whether the doctor voluntarily entered the freezer and if a fatal oversight led to her death. The possibility of an accident remains the primary line of inquiry in the absence of evidence suggesting otherwise.

Meanwhile, her family is working to gather enough funds to bring her body back to Nicaragua. According to the GoFundMe platform, they were less than $2,000 away from reaching their goal. “The family's greatest wish is to bring her back to Nicaragua for a proper funeral and final rest, surrounded by loved ones,” the petition states.

An Enigma with Lingering Questions

Helen Garay died alone, in a foreign country, under circumstances as tragic as they are difficult to comprehend. The nakedness of her body has been the most puzzling element of the case, yet perhaps the key to understanding what might have occurred.

Was she a victim of cold-induced disorientation? Was there negligence in accessing a restricted area? Why did no one look for her when she didn’t return that night?

Until the forensic report is released and the investigation concludes, the case of the Nicaraguan doctor remains shrouded in mystery.