When Life Returns After Pronouncement of Death

A remarkable medical phenomenon, known as Lazarus Syndrome, describes cases where a person’s heart spontaneously restarts after they have been officially pronounced dead. This rare event, also referred to as Lazarus phenomenon or autoresuscitation, draws its name from the biblical account of Lazarus being raised from the dead.

A Case of Unexpected Revival

Velma Thomas, a mother of two, experienced this extraordinary event after suffering a heart attack at her West Virginia home. Despite extensive efforts by medical professionals at the Charleston Area Medical Centre to revive her, her heart stopped three times, and no brain activity was detected. Following these critical developments, she was declared deceased, and her family began making funeral arrangements.

Her son, Tim, recounted the somber moments, describing his mother’s physical state as showing no signs of life, with her skin hardening and extremities curling. Ironically, Velma, who was a registered organ donor, was kept on life support to facilitate organ donation. This decision inadvertently played a role in her return to life.

Mere minutes after her ventilator was switched off, Velma began to move her arm, cough, and ask for her son. Her family viewed this as a miracle.

Understanding Lazarus Syndrome

Medical experts explain that Lazarus Syndrome, while exceptionally rare with approximately 70 documented cases globally, may occur more frequently without being officially reported due to legal and ethical considerations. While not personally witnessed firsthand by all medical professionals, the underlying mechanisms can be explained.

During resuscitation attempts, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including chest compressions and breathing support, is administered to maintain oxygen circulation when a person’s heart stops. In cases of Lazarus Syndrome, the heart restarts independently after these interventions have ceased. Scientific explanations point to potential factors such as changes in chest pressure, delayed effects of medications like adrenaline, or imbalances in blood potassium and acid levels.

Medical Protocols and Prognosis

The process of declaring a patient dead involves a thorough examination of vital signs, including pulse, heartbeat, and pupillary response. Doctors also use stethoscopes to listen for heartbeat and breath sounds, ensuring a comprehensive assessment. Clinicians remain with the patient after pronouncement.

The survival rate for individuals experiencing Lazarus Syndrome is estimated at around 30%. Of those who survive, only about 15% achieve a normal neurological outcome. Younger individuals generally have a better prognosis for a full recovery.

While the prospect of being falsely declared dead might seem alarming, medical professionals emphasize that resuscitation attempts are rigorous and monitored. Prolonged resuscitation efforts are typically not pursued for older patients with multiple medical conditions, where the chance of survival is minimal. However, for younger patients experiencing cardiac arrest, teams will continue resuscitation for as long as deemed necessary.

Following a pronouncement of death, strict protocols are in place. Medical staff continue to attend to the deceased with dignity and respect, carefully removing any medical equipment such as IV drips. The obligation to care for patients extends even after death.

Other Documented Instances

Velma Thomas’s case is not isolated. Other individuals have experienced similar resurrections:

• Judith Johnson, in 2008, was initially thought to have indigestion but was later declared dead. A morgue worker discovered her alive before she recovered.
• Timesha Beauchamp, a 20-year-old, was pronounced dead over the phone in 2020 after paramedics were unable to revive her. Funeral home workers later found her gasping for air. She sadly passed away weeks later in the hospital.
• An 88-year-old Czech woman was discovered to be alive by morticians while being prepared for her coffin.
• A 65-year-old man in Japan was found to be moving in the mortuary 20 minutes after being pronounced dead by hospital medics.
• In Mexico, mourners at the funeral of three-year-old Camila Roxana Martinez Mendoza noticed her coffin’s lid fogging up and saw her eyes moving with a faint pulse. Despite immediate medical intervention, she did not survive.

Velma Thomas, fortunately, did not reach the morgue that day in 2008. She lived for another 15 years, passing away at the age of 76 last year.