Hollywood, California –What should have been the end of a routine shift turned into a nightmare for Jessica McLaughlin, a 24-year-old 7-Eleven employee whose life was violently and senselessly cut short. Jessica was declared brain dead following a horrific attack by her assistant manager, Valeria Parra, on June 24, 2025, inside the convenience store located on the 5700 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.
According to witness accounts and statements from her family, Jessica had endured repeated bullying and intimidation from Parra during her time at the store. But nothing could have prepared her—or anyone—for the brutal events that unfolded that night.
As Jessica neared the end of her shift, an argument escalated into a shocking physical assault. Parra reportedly hurled a bottle at Jessica before tackling her to the ground. Witnesses say she straddled Jessica in a way that severely restricted her breathing. By the time coworkers intervened, Jessica had lost consciousness. Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital, but doctors soon confirmed the worst: Jessica had suffered irreversible brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
In a disturbing turn, Parra is said to have attempted to delete the store’s surveillance footage before fleeing the scene—on a bicycle. As of this report, the suspect remains at large. The Los Angeles Police Department has classified the incident as felony battery and continues to investigate. No arrests have yet been made.
Jessica’s family, shattered by the unimaginable loss, is now preparing to take her off life support. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover mounting medical bills and funeral costs, and to raise awareness about the need for safer work environments.
“She was kind, hardworking, and didn’t deserve this,” a family member shared through tears. “She clocked in to do her job. She never made it home.”
The 7-Eleven corporation has issued a statement confirming that Parra has been terminated and that the company is fully cooperating with authorities. Still, the tragedy has sparked widespread outrage and urgent conversations about the protections—or lack thereof—offered to workers in low-wage retail environments.
Community members have begun leaving flowers and candles outside the store where Jessica spent her final moments. Social media has flooded with messages of support for her family and demands for justice.
Jessica McLaughlin was more than just an employee. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend. She was someone with dreams, with plans, with a future.
Now, her life has been stolen—allegedly by someone entrusted to supervise her.
As her family prepares to say goodbye, the community prepares to fight—for answers, for accountability, and for Jessica.
Anyone with information about Parra’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department immediately.
Jessica’s memory deserves more than silence. It demands justice