The parents of a New York City woman are suing data‑storage giant MongoDB, alleging the $35 billion company cut off their daughter’s benefits while she was on mental‑health leave — a move they say contributed to her death weeks later.
According to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, 28‑year‑old Annie Surman, a Columbia University graduate and former NASA intern, had been battling severe anxiety and depression linked to what her family describes as “extreme work stress.” Surman worked as a Technical Program Manager at MongoDB until the company terminated her employment in August 2024 while she was on leave.
Her parents claim the loss of income and medical coverage left her increasingly distressed at a time when she was seeking treatment. One month after her dismissal, Surman died by suicide, according to the filing.
The lawsuit argues that MongoDB failed to provide adequate support and violated employment protections for workers on medical leave. The company has not publicly commented on the allegations.
Surman’s death has renewed scrutiny of how high‑pressure tech workplaces handle mental‑health crises, particularly for young employees navigating demanding roles in fast‑growing firms.
Gavel Picture by Stockcake
