What began as an ordinary workday for 24-year-old Jessica McLaughlin turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that no one saw coming.
Jessica, a dedicated employee at a California 7-Eleven store, was allegedly assaulted by her female manager during a shocking incident that escalated quickly—and fatally.
According to Jessica’s family, the manager physically attacked her by pulling her hair and then sitting on her with her full weight, preventing her from breathing.
“She held her down, sat on top of her, and wouldn’t let her breathe,” Jessica’s brother, Sean McLaughlin, shared on a GoFundMe page created to support the family in the wake of this devastating loss.
Sean continued, “Some coworkers tried to intervene and stop the attack but were also met with aggression. When Jessica finally broke free, she collapsed and stopped breathing.”
In a disturbing turn, Sean said the manager reportedly fled to a back room to delete security footage before escaping the scene on a bike.
Jessica was rushed to the hospital but tragically passed away on July 2, shortly after being taken off life support.
Sean wrote poignantly about the family’s struggle: “She was kept alive on machines for days. Our entire family—mom Jasmine, dad Clancey, brother Anthony, stepdad Albert, sister Linda, and her devoted boyfriend Adrian—held vigil, praying for a miracle.
“But the damage from lack of oxygen was too severe. Her brain stopped functioning. After seeking second opinions and exhausting every option, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let her go.”
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they responded to the 7-Eleven after reports of a confrontation. When officers arrived, Jessica was found unconscious on the floor.
“Preliminary information indicates that a verbal dispute between two women inside the store escalated into a physical altercation,” LAPD stated in a release.
Investigators have secured video evidence but are withholding it from the public as the case unfolds.
The police have since launched a homicide investigation into Jessica’s death. No arrests have been made yet.
7-Eleven has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
This devastating event highlights the urgent need for safe workplaces and accountability when conflicts spiral out of control.