Death Mistaken
US woman declared dead found alive at funeral home
Constance Glantz, 74, was declared dead at a nursing home near the state capital of Lincoln on Monday.
In an extraordinary and baffling turn of events, a 74-year-old woman in Nebraska, who had been declared dead at a nursing home, was found to be alive at a funeral home just two hours later. The incident has left both the local community and authorities in shock, prompting an ongoing investigation.
The woman, identified as Constance Glantz, was a resident of The Mulberry at Waverly nursing home in Waverly, Nebraska. On Monday morning, nursing home staff pronounced her dead at 9:44 a.m. local time. Glantz had been under hospice care, a stage often associated with end-of-life care, and her death was anticipated. Consequently, a coroner was not called to the scene, as the circumstances did not meet the criteria for a coroner's investigation.
Following the pronouncement of her death, Glantz's body was transported to Butherus-Maser & Love Funeral Home in Lincoln, approximately 15 miles away. It was here that the astonishing discovery was made. As funeral home staff began preparing her body for the funeral process, an employee noticed that Glantz was still breathing. The staff immediately called 911, and emergency medical workers from Lincoln Fire and Rescue arrived at the scene to administer CPR.
Chief Deputy Ben Houchin of the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office addressed the media during a press briefing, expressing his astonishment at the situation. "This is a very unusual case. I've been doing this for 31 years, and nothing like this has ever gotten to this point before," Houchin stated. He confirmed that Glantz was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment. As of Monday afternoon, she was still alive, though her current condition remains unknown.
The incident has raised numerous questions about the procedures followed by the nursing home and the accuracy of the initial death pronouncement. Houchin explained that the nursing home staff had followed standard protocol for hospice patients, which did not require immediate notification of the coroner or law enforcement. A physician had seen Glantz within the last seven days and was prepared to sign the death certificate, given her deteriorating condition.
Despite the unusual nature of the case, Houchin emphasized that there is currently no evidence of criminal intent by the nursing home staff. "At this point, we have not been able to find any criminal intent by the nursing home, but the investigation is ongoing," he said. The nursing home has declined to comment on the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. Similar cases have been reported in recent years, highlighting the complexities and challenges in accurately determining death. In 2023, a woman in Iowa was found alive at a funeral home after being declared dead at a nursing home, leading to substantial fines for the facility. In another case, an 82-year-old woman in New York was discovered breathing at a funeral home shortly after being pronounced dead.
Medical professionals have weighed in on the phenomenon, noting that death is a process rather than an instantaneous event. Dr. Stephen Hughes, a senior lecturer in medicine at Anglia Ruskin University's School of Medicine, explained that certain conditions and medications can slow down bodily processes, making it appear as though a person has died when they have not. "Sometimes somebody may look like they're dead but they're not quite dead. Careful examination is necessary," Hughes stated.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Glantz's initial death pronouncement and subsequent discovery of life. Authorities are reviewing protocols and procedures to determine if any changes are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the community remains in a state of disbelief, grappling with the implications of this rare and unsettling event. Glantz's family has been informed of the situation and is awaiting further updates on her condition. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough and careful examination in end-of-life care, as well as the need for vigilance in medical and caregiving practices.