Andrew leaves behind his wife and their two young children (Image: -)

Police are investigating after the body of an Ohio dad was found inside a trash compactor outside a CVS store.

Andrew Strand’s lifeless body was discovered after his wife, Jaymie, called police just before 10pm on Wednesday to report her husband missing. She told officers that she became concerned after not hearing from the 34-year-old dad of two for hours.

Jaymie said she’d tracked Andrew’s phone location to a CVS on Chagrin Boulevard in Shaker Heights. She told officers that Andrew had been performing contract work at the facility when he failed to return home, Shaker Heights Police Commander John Cole told Cleveland 19 News.

Officers responded to the store. While searching the property, police found Andrew’s body inside a trash compactor at the back of the store, authorities said. The circumstances surrounding Andrew’s death remain unclear, including how he ended up inside the trash compactor and how he died.

Commander Cole said the incident is currently under investigation. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner is working with police to determine the cause and manner of death.

“We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time,” Cole said. “We’re cooperating with police as they investigate the death of a contractor outside our Chagrin Blvd store,” CVS said in a statement.

His body was found in a trash compactor outside the back of a CVS store (Image: -)

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for Andrew’s family describes him as a “loving, involved father” who leaves behind his wife of seven years and his young son and daughter.

“His wife and children were the center of his life and he loved them immensely,” the GoFundMe reads. “Andy’s passing was sudden and unexpected leaving his family in disarray,” it adds.

Andrew was a mechanic who had recently started his own company, according to the fundraising page. He was also remembered as a “great friend.”

“Andy was a great friend to many, one of which being my husband’s good friend for nearly 12 years. He was a kind man who always showed up to support his friends or anyone who needed him,” Danielle Gorbe, who launched the fundraiser, wrote.

Nearly $20,000 has been raised for his family.

Andrew’s death comes as police in Florida are also probing an unrelated incident in which a mom was found dead inside a Dollar Tree store freezer.

The family of Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez alleged in a $50million lawsuit that the Florida mom “became trapped” in the freezer but that a store manager refused to review surveillance footage to help find her.

They accused the staff member of failing to take “reasonable action to locate or assist” the 32-year-old mom of two. Helen was found dead inside a Dollar Tree store in Little Havana on December 14, 2025 according to the Miami Police Department.

“We received a call from an employee, who reported that there was a deceased woman inside of the business, inside of the freezer,” a Miami PD spokesperson said. “No foul play is suspected, but it’s still an active and ongoing investigation,” they added.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the individual’s family and loved ones. While we do not comment on active legal matters, we continue to cooperate fully with authorities,” a Dollar Tree spokesperson said.