BBC News

Arnal, 52, was found unconscious and unresponsive outside his gorgeous 57-story skyscraper in the Tribeca neighborhood around 12:30 p.m. Friday, the NYPD said in a statement Sunday. said he did. Police said the man “appeared to have sustained traumatic injuries indicative of a fall from a height.” EMS responded and declared the man dead, police said.

A law enforcement source told CNN Sunday that Arnal’s wife witnessed him jump.

The NYPD said the New York City Coroner’s Office has determined the cause of death and an investigation is ongoing. CNN reached out to the coroner’s office but did not receive an immediate response.

Bed Bath & Beyond is “deeply saddened by this devastating loss,” a company spokesperson said following Arnal’s passing.

In a statement on Sunday, Harriet Edelman, independent chairman of Bedbath & Beyond’s board of directors, said, “I extend my deepest condolences to Gustavo’s family.”

“Our focus is on supporting his family and his team, and our thoughts are with them during this sad and difficult time,” Edelman said. Please join us.”

Arnal joined Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. in May 2020 after a career in finance at Avon, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Procter & Gamble, according to a statement.

Edelman said Arnal “has guided the organization through the coronavirus pandemic, transformed the company’s financial foundation, and helped build a strong and talented team. He is also a well-respected member of the financial industry. I was also a colleague.”

CNN reported this week that Bed Bath & Beyond is in serious trouble. The company is trying to save itself and avoid bankruptcy by shrinking. The chain said Wednesday it would lay off about 20% of its corporate workforce, close about 150 stores, and cut some of its own home goods brands. It said it had secured funding of more than $500 million.

Arnal was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit in which he, Ryan Cohen and other major shareholders were accused of engaging in a “pump and dump” scheme to artificially inflate the company’s stock price.

The suit was filed on August 23 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The lawsuit alleges that Arnall and others made misleading statements and omissions when communicating to investors about BBBY’s strategic plans and financial situation, and delayed disclosure of their shareholdings and sales.

The complaint also alleges that interested parties shared false sales figures and plans to spin off the “Buy Buy Baby” brand to fuel a stock-buying frenzy.

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation or mental health problems, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) to speak to a trained counselor, or visit the NSPL website. Please access.

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