Wells Fargo employee Denise Prudhomme found dead at desk 4 days after she clocked in – workers thought odor was plumbing
By Callie Patteson,
2024-08-29
A WELLS Fargo employee was found dead on the job several days after clocking in – and never clocking back out.
On August 20, the body of Denise Prudhomme, 60, was found at her office in Tempe, Arizona – around 10 miles outside of Phoenix.
The Wells Fargo employee had last clocked into the office on August 16 at around 7 am.
Local police were informed of the situation after on-site security discovered the body.
Upon arriving to the Arizona office, officials declared Prudhomme dead.
The incident left Prudhomme’s coworkers shocked, as they were completely unaware for days.
“It’s really heartbreaking and I’m thinking, ‘What if I were just sitting there?'” one employee of the bank told local NBC affiliate KPNX .
“No one would check on me?”
One employee anonymously told the outlet that a colleague originally found Prudhomme after walking around the building.
The employee said the 60-year-old had been in her cubicle, that was reportedly on the third floor of the office, away from the main aisle of desks.
The Wells Fargo worker also claimed that several people had smelled a “foul order” in the building.
However, the smell was dismissed as a plumbing issue.
The employee explained that the majority of staff at the Tempe office works remote.
Though, as the building is staffed with 24/7 security, the worker said Prudhomme’s body should have been found sooner.
“That’s the scary part,” the employee told the outlet.
“That’s the uneasy part. It’s negligence in some part.”
I’m just wondering why they didn’t formally address employees about it?
Anonymous Wells Fargo employee
Details surrounding Prudhomme’s death, including when and how she died, have not yet been released.
However, police do not suspect foul play according to the preliminary investigation, according to CBS News .
Sgt. Ryan Cook told the outlet that the Office of the Medical Examiner is set to make a further medical determination on the cause of death.
As the investigation continues, employees of the San Francisco-headquartered bank have been left with unanswered questions.
Dead On The Job
Denise Prudhomme isn't the only person to have died at work, only to be found days later.
Finish Tax Auditor:
In 2015, the body of a tax auditor in Finland was found two days after he died
He died while checking tax returns in his office in Helsinki, according to Forbes
He reportedly had his office doors closed and no one entered to check on him as they thought he wanted peace
Rebecca Wells:
In 2011, Wells died at her cubicle in Los Angeles County, according to TIME
However, her body wasn’t found until one day later
her coworkers remembered her as someone who was ‘always working’
One worker claimed to KPNX that Wells Fargo has released little information to employees.
“I’m just wondering why they didn’t formally address employees about it?” the worker asked.
“I just feel like they aren’t being transparent with us and somebody needs to acknowledge this.
“To the family, I’m sorry for their loss. I feel it because I’m thinking about my mom and my mother-in-law and what if that happened to them.”
So far, another employee told the outlet that the incident was addressed by direct management.
The employee claimed that counseling services were offered and that staff was informed the building had been cleaned.
Wells Fargo has publicly addressed the incident as well in a statement obtained by KPNX.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office,” the bank said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time. Counselors, through our Employee Assistance Consulting service, are available to support our employees.
“We are fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in their investigation and will direct all further questions to them.”
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