Signs show kitchen worker tried to get out of the freezer after she became stuck inside on Monday evening

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A woman has been found dead in the walk-in freezer of a hotel in Atlanta after apparently being trapped inside for 13 hours.

Police lieutenant Charles Hampton said the woman was found on Tuesday inside the freezer at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, one of the city’s largest hotels.

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Hampton said a search for the woman began when she didn’t return home after her shift.

He said there was evidence she tried to get out, but he didn’t elaborate. He said he isn’t sure whether a mechanism to get out of the freezer was in working order.

US media reports said Carolyn Robinson, 61, apparently became trapped inside the freezer at about 8pm on Monday.

Her body was found 13 hours later.

Hampton said the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration would investigate.

“It appears that there was some type of mechanism to allow anyone who was inside to be able to exit,” he said. He wasn’t sure if it was working properly.

“Right now there does not appear to be any foul play,” Hampton said.

The hotel said in a statement it was devastated by the tragic loss of its long-time worker.

“We are working closely with the authorities in their investigation, and we are providing whatever support that we can for her family,” the statement said.

Police plan to wait for an autopsy to determine whether the woman had any type of medical condition that may have prevented her from getting out, Hampton said.

Walk-in freezers are designed so that anyone stuck inside can dismantle the locking mechanism easily and get out.

Associated Press contributed to this report