People gathered to light candles and say prayers Sunday night for the 19-year-old woman who was found dead at a Halifax Walmart.
The vigil took place outside the store where Gursimran Kaur’s body was discovered inside a commercial bakery oven on Oct. 19th.
Those who knew her shared stories about her gentle spirit.
“It’s so bad,” said Varinder Singh, who said he lived in the same apartment as Kaur and her mother for a few months when he moved to Halifax. “Nobody believes how it’s possible.
“She’s a very kind girl,” he said.
Varinder Singh, second from right, is shown lighting candles at the vigil. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)
The candles were placed on the ground by a memorial of flowers and cards that remains in front of the store, which continues to be cordoned off by yellow tape. More than 100 people attended.
Many in the crowd also moved to Canada from India. They have been shocked by the tragedy and feel a strong connection to the family.
“We are just paying tribute to her,” said Rajan Sood, who also knew the victim. “I feel she will rest, she will be in peace because we pray to God.”
Sood and others at the event want to know what happened and are frustrated that about two weeks later few details have been released.
Rajan Sood said the candles and prayers are aimed at helping bring peace to the family of Gursimran Kaur. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)
There are others at the vigil who did not know Gursimran Kaur or her mother but wanted to be there to show they are thinking of them.
“What the family is feeling right now we can’t imagine because it’s a very painful death so we are with the family and hoping for justice,” said Inder Kaur.
Inder Kaur said she wanted to be at the vigil to let Gursimran Kaur’s family know people are thinking of them. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)
The victim’s mother, who is also a Walmart employee and discovered her body, was not at the vigil.
“She is in a bad situation,” said Rimple Dhunna. She has been to visit her several times to offer help from the community.
Her grief is impossible to imagine, he said. “She wants answers. She is the one who has the right to know right away what happened to her daughter.”
Halifax Regional Police have noted the investigation is a complex one involving several partner agencies and could take a significant amount of time.
Rimple Dhunna said Gursimran Kaur’s mother was not at the vigil because she is dealing with a devastating loss. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)
Walmart released a statement Sunday night saying it has been a tragic and difficult time for the family, the community and the store staff.
“Our associates wanted to attend tonight to grieve together and show their support,” the statement said.
The company said the investigation is continuing and it continues to do everything it can to support the police.
“We are working towards understanding how this tragic event occurred,” the statement said.
The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has lifted a stop work order it had put in place for the bakery and one piece of equipment.
The department said that allows bakery operations to safely resume. However, the store remains closed and the company has not provided a reopening date.
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