Body Allegedly Left Lying in Aisle of L.A. Grocery Store, Obscured with Umbrellas, for Hours as Customers Shopped

**Grocery Store Incident Raises Concerns Over Management Practices**

A serious incident at a grocery store in Los Angeles has raised troubling questions about how store management handles emergencies. On July 5, a shopper tragically passed away in the bakery aisle of a Vons supermarket located in Granada Hills. Employees have alleged that the store remained open for several hours following the incident, all while the deceased person’s body was positioned within view, albeit obscured by carts and umbrellas.

Pazion Horner-Smith, a supervisor who was present at the time, reported that she and a colleague attempted to perform CPR on the customer after an apparent medical emergency. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced dead. Instead of quickly closing the store out of respect for the deceased and their family, management opted to keep the doors open, according to Horner-Smith and other employees.

In an interview with CBS News Los Angeles, Horner-Smith recounted the painful experience. She described receiving instructions from management to shield the body using grocery carts and umbrellas to minimise public exposure. “I’m being called by someone in corporate because they’re looking at the cameras, telling me that I need to barricade the body,” she said, highlighting the distressing situation that unfolded while the deceased’s family was still present in the store.

The situation lasted for approximately four hours before the body was finally removed by a funeral home. It remains unclear when the emergency occurred, though the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned shortly after 7 p.m. on that day. Throughout the ordeal, Horner-Smith described the family’s suffering, noting that they were waiting in the store, unable to access or grieve for their loved one during the chaos surrounding them.

“This is something I have never encountered in my 27 years of working for the company,” she stated. The emotional toll of the incident prompted Horner-Smith to take a week off work to recuperate mentally. She expressed her belief that Vons needs to establish a clear protocol for handling such tragic circumstances in the future. “Vons, you need to do better,” she articulated. “You need to have some sort of policy for when someone passes away in the store. This should not have happened.”

In response to the outcry, a spokesperson for Albertsons, Vons’ parent company, issued a statement expressing condolences to the family involved. The statement highlighted the company’s commitment to collaborating with emergency personnel and law enforcement to respond appropriately to medical emergencies. However, the spokesperson did not provide specific details regarding the event, citing the need for privacy for the family and employees affected by the incident.

The decision to keep the shop open and the way the situation was managed has sparked outrage, both among employees and the general public. Many are questioning the ethics behind such practices in a place designed for community interaction and support. Shoppers expect a safe and respectful environment, particularly in moments of crisis.

The incident has not only prompted complaints from employees but has also drawn attention from customer advocacy groups. Advocates argue that there should be specific protocols in place to ensure the dignity of individuals and families in distress. This situation has opened up a wider conversation about health and safety measures in public spaces, particularly grocery stores, which serve as essential hubs for local communities.

As Vons faces scrutiny for its handling of this tragic situation, employees hope that the management will take the necessary steps to ensure that something similar does not happen again in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of policies that prioritise the well-being and respect of individuals, particularly during moments of crisis.