Dead body left in grocery store aisle for hours while customers shopped, workers say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

U.S. & World
Dead body left in grocery store aisle for hours while customers shopped, workers say

Published: Jul. 13, 2026, 9:08 a.m.
By Geoff Herbert | [e-mail]

A dead body was left in the aisle of a grocery store for hours while customers shopped, according to employees.

CBS reports workers at a Vons supermarket in the Granada Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, said a shopper suffered a medical emergency in the bakery aisle on July 5. Paszion Horner-Smith, a supervisor, and another employee performed CPR in an attempt to save them.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene just after 7 p.m. for a report of cardiac arrest. The LAPD also responded for a “death investigation.” ... But the store remained opened for business while the dead body laid there for hours.

Horner-Smith said her corporate manager told her to cover up the body with shopping carts and umbrellas. The customer’s family was at the store with the body for four hours until a mortuary removed the remains.

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[dlilafae]

1. I'm not sure if this is

a commonplace occurrence? Probably 20 years ago, we went fishing in San Luis Pass (TX). It was over a Memorial Day weekend. Apparently a man had drowned. He laid unattended to for hours (actually for the duration of time we were there, plus some). It was an eerie sight for those still alive; facing finality like that - so in your face. But mostly, him being exposed like that for so long, felt disrespectful to the man who had lost his life. People who passed by openly wondered whether or not we should cover him with a towel. (Re: evidence tampering, in hindsight - we should have). ~ Both instances, very sad. The grocery store should have closed it's doors until the incident resolved itself. ~ They camouflaged the decedant, so people could continue shopping?? Ewww! In poor taste and morally reprehensible.

[Bayard]

2. Just shaking my head.....

Did they think no one would notice a big pile of shopping carts and umbrellas while they were looking for donuts?