The death of Gustavo Arnal, 52, the company’s chief financial officer, happened days after the retail chain announced it might close about 150 of its more than 700 namesake stores and lay off about 20% of its 32,000 staff after its stock fell more than 21% last Wednesday and 65% in the past year.
Mr Gustavo Arnal was pronounced dead when emergency medical employees found him at around 12:30 p.m. on Friday close to Leonard Street and West Broadway; police said he “seemed to suffer from injuries indicative from a fall from an elevated position.
“The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office will decide the reason for his death, and the investigation continues to go on”, police stated.
A Sunday statement from the retailer stated that “the whole Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. company is shocked and saddened for their loss.”
“At Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., Mr Arnal was instrumental in guiding the organization during the coronavirus pandemic, reworking the Company’s financial basis and building a strong and proficient team,” the statement continued. “He was additionally an esteemed colleague within the financial community.”