Microsoft Engineer Pratik Pandey Found Dead in Silicon Valley

The tech community in Silicon Valley and across the globe is mourning the untimely death of Pratik Pandey, a 35-year-old Indian-origin software engineer, who was found dead at the Microsoft office campus in Mountain View, California. The discovery was made in the early hours of August 20, 2025, after Pandey had reportedly badged into the office the previous evening.

According to a family member who spoke with Bloomberg on condition of anonymity, Pandey was known to frequently work late into the night. While the cause of death is still pending and under investigation by the Santa Clara County medical examiner, police who responded to the scene at approximately 2 a.m. on August 20 found no signs of suspicious activity, and the death is not being treated as a criminal investigation.

The tragic incident has prompted a wave of grief and concern, particularly from Pandey’s family, who have urged tech companies to re-evaluate their work culture and the pressures placed on employees. Pandey’s uncle, Manoj Pandey, told the Palo Alto Daily Post that his nephew had been “working late nights for a very extended period of time.” He suggested that companies should “pay closer attention” when employees are consistently working at odd hours, stating, “That will probably save a life.”

Pratik Pandey was a dedicated professional with a decade of experience in the tech industry. Born and educated in India, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya in Bhopal before moving to the U.S. for higher studies. He completed a master’s degree at San Jose State University and built an impressive career with stints at major companies like Apple and Walmart Inc. before joining Microsoft in 2020. At Microsoft, he worked on the Fabric product, a data analytics platform. His colleagues described him as a talented engineer with a passion for his work.

Beyond his professional life, Pandey was remembered as a “joyful soul with a radiant smile,” and a loving son and friend. He was an avid sports enthusiast, particularly passionate about soccer. Tributes have poured in on social media from friends, former classmates, and colleagues, all expressing shock and sorrow over his sudden passing.

The family has been working with community members to arrange for his body to be returned to India, where his parents and two sisters reside, to perform the final rites according to their Hindu traditions. A viewing service was held in the Bay Area, allowing friends and family to pay their respects before the repatriation process.

As the tech world grapples with this tragic loss, the incident has reignited a critical conversation about the demanding nature of the industry and the importance of employee well-being. Microsoft has not yet issued a public statement on the matter, but a person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that the company is conducting an internal review of the incident.