Woman, 26, Who Died from ‘Relentless’ Workload, Remembered by Family 1 Year Later: ‘Still in the Same Pain’

Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old woman who is believed to have died from what her family described as an “overwhelming workload,” is being remembered by her loved ones one year later.

Anna worked as an Audit and Assurance executive at the Pune, India, office of the global accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY). She had been with the company for just four months when she passed away in July 2024.

At the time, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, emailed Ernst & Young India’s chairman, Rajiv Memani, saying her daughter “worked tirelessly at EY,” but “the workload, new environment and the long hours took a toll on her physically, emotionally and mentally.”

“The relentless demands and the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations are not sustainable, and they cost us the life of a young woman with so much potential,” she wrote.

A year after her death, Anna’s family spoke to Onmanorama. “We are still in the same pain,” said her father, Siby Joseph.

Anna’s best friend, Ann Mary, told Onmanorama that Anna’s parents are working hard to keep her memory alive.

“What they are focusing on now is Anna’s dreams. Things she wanted to do and would have done if she were alive. That’s their purpose now,” she said.

Another friend, Ann Treasa Joseph, said, “Whenever we see Anna’s mother, she breaks down. They are still in shock.”

She added, “Many of us have come together to attend her death anniversary. We all miss her so much.”

Since her passing, Anna’s friends and family have launched The Anna Sebastian Initiative on the same day as her one-year remembrance service.

Officials previously said they were investigating the circumstances around Anna’s death.

At the time, Shobha Karandlaje, a union minister, posted on X that authorities were looking into “the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment.”

“We are committed to ensuring justice & [the Ministry of Labor] has officially taken up the complaint,” Karandlaje wrote.

In a statement to PEOPLE after Anna’s death, a spokesperson for Ernst & Young said, “Our deepest condolences go to the bereaved family.”

“While no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, we have provided all the assistance as we always do in such times of distress and will continue to do so,” they added. “We are taking the family’s correspondence with the utmost seriousness and humility.”

The company also said it was cooperating with the government investigation.

In a follow-up statement to PEOPLE on Aug. 15, a spokesperson said, “We remember Anna fondly as a member of our community and at this time share our continued compassion with her family and friends. As an organization, we remain deeply committed to supporting the wellbeing of all of our people.”