In a tragic and unsettling case, Wells Fargo employee Denise Prudhomme, 60, was found dead at the company’s Tempe office on August 20, four days after her last recorded scan into work. Authorities and colleagues are grappling with the disturbing details of the discovery, raising questions about the conditions at the office.
Prudhomme had scanned into the Wells Fargo corporate office near Priest Drive and Washington Street at 7 am on August 16, according to reports.The body was discovered only when security personnel, responding to reports of an unresponsive individual, checked the building. The Tempe Police Criminal Investigations Bureau confirmed that there were no signs of foul play.
An anonymous worker shared their shock and was reported by 12News as saying, “It’s really heartbreaking and I’m thinking, ‘What if I were just sitting there?’ No one would check on me?” Another employee expressed their distress over the incident, revealing that several people had noticed a foul odor but passed it off as faulty plumbing.
The cubicle where Prudhomme was found was reportedly located on the third floor, away from the main aisle. This isolation may have contributed to the delayed discovery of her body. “To hear she’s been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick,” the employee said, highlighting concerns about the lack of immediate action.
Despite Wells Fargo’s statement expressing deep sadness and offering support through Employee Assistance Consulting services, some employees feel the bank has not been transparent enough about the incident. “I just feel like they aren’t being transparent with us,” one worker lamented. “Somebody needs to acknowledge this.”
The Tempe Police Department and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office are working together to determine the cause of Prudhomme’s death. The investigation is ongoing, but preliminary findings indicate no signs of criminal activity.
Wells Fargo has assured the public that they are fully cooperating with the investigation and have addressed the situation internally. The company’s statement to 12News emphasized their commitment to supporting affected employees and ensuring the building was thoroughly cleaned.