Tragic Death of 7-Eleven Employee After Alleged Assault by Manager Sparks Homicide Probe

A 24-year-old woman has died following a disturbing workplace altercation at a 7-Eleven store in Hollywood, California, where a manager is accused of violently restraining her during a dispute.

Jessica McLaughlin reported for her shift on June 24, unaware it would end in tragedy. According to her family, what began as a workplace disagreement allegedly escalated into physical violence when a female manager reportedly grabbed Jessica by the hair and pinned her to the floor, sitting on her with full force.

“She was held down and couldn’t breathe,” said her brother, Sean McLaughlin, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the grieving family. He described a chaotic scene, claiming some coworkers attempted to intervene but were also attacked. Jessica managed to break free briefly before collapsing. She was reportedly not breathing when coworkers tried to revive her with CPR.

Sean further alleged that the manager fled to the back of the store in an effort to delete surveillance footage before leaving the scene on a bicycle.

Jessica was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support. For several days, her loved ones kept vigil, holding onto hope. But on July 2, after doctors confirmed severe brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, her family made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw life support.

“She fought so hard,” her brother wrote in a final update. “But the damage was irreversible.”

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed officers responded to a call at the Hollywood store, where they found Jessica unconscious. Initial reports say a verbal disagreement had erupted between two women before turning physical. LAPD noted that surveillance video exists but has not yet been made public.

A homicide investigation is now underway, and authorities are treating Jessica’s death as suspicious.

7-Eleven has since issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming the termination of the employee involved. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. The company is fully cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation,” the spokesperson said.

As the investigation continues, Jessica’s family and friends are mourning a life cut far too short, demanding justice for the young woman who simply went to work that day expecting a routine shift — not a fatal encounter.