Norma Silveira da Silva, a 90-year-old woman in São José, Brazil, was erroneously declared dead and subsequently discovered alive in a body bag at a morgue, a mishap uncovered on November 25, 2023, shortly after her death was announced by São José Regional Hospital.
Hospitalized on November 24, 2023, for presumed liver complications, da Silva’s condition was closely monitored by Jessica Martins Silvi Pereira, a caregiver and friend, who observed da Silva before her “death” opening one eye despite her unresponsiveness.
The family was informed of da Silva’s demise later that same evening, with the initial death certificate citing a urinary tract infection as the cause.
In a startling turn of events, da Silva was found alive after spending nearly two hours in a body bag, narrowly escaping suffocation. A crematorium employee, who came to retrieve da Silva’s body at about 1:30 a.m., noticed the absence of rigor mortis and her body still warm, leading to the discovery of her being alive.
Da Silva was immediately taken back to the hospital. Regrettably, she was pronounced dead again early on Monday morning due to septic shock, as stated in her second death certificate.
This case of misdiagnosis has raised substantial concerns over the hospital’s protocols and oversight. Da Silva’s family is reportedly pursuing legal action against the hospital. The event, described as neglectful by her caregiver Pereira, underscores the importance of meticulous medical procedures to prevent such severe mistakes.
Currently under investigation, this incident probes into how da Silva’s premature transfer to the morgue may have influenced her subsequent death, underscoring the profound implications of such errors in medical care.