The family of Pratik Pandey, a 35-year-old Microsoft engineer who died while working late at the company’s Mountain View office, has urged Silicon Valley firms to take stronger steps in protecting employees from excessive stress and overwork.
Pandey, of Menlo Park, Calif., resumed duty at the office around 7:50 p.m. on August 19, 2025, but was later found face-down in the campus courtyard at about 2 a.m., according to his uncle, Manoj Pandey, who spoke to the Palo Alto Daily Post.
An initial report by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner indicated he likely suffered a heart attack. Satish Chandra, an IT worker and community leader in Santa Clara, said Pandey had no known health issues but had confided to colleagues and his roommate that he was under significant stress while juggling multiple projects.
“Companies should keep track of employees working late at night and take steps to relieve their anxiety,” his uncle said. “That will probably save a life. It’s a lot of pain for the family when a loved one passes away.”
The Mountain View Police Department said there were “no signs of any suspicious activity or behavior” and confirmed the case is not being treated as a criminal investigation.
Pandey, described as a hardworking and positive person, was known to work late into the night. Outside work, he enjoyed soccer, ping pong, and cricket.
Born in Indore, India, Pandey moved to the United States about a decade ago for his master’s degree at San Jose State University. He previously worked at Apple, Illumina, and Walmart Labs before joining Microsoft in July 2020, where he contributed to its Fabric data analytics platform.
His remains are being sent to India, where his parents and two sisters live.