A mysterious occurrence in Ecuador revolving around the ‘resuscitation’ of a woman and her subsequent death has left relatives and friends baffled.
76-year-old Bella Montoya had been reported dead by doctors, but she woke up inside a coffin during her wake.
Sadly, the Ecuadorian septuagenarian died seven days later while on admission at a hospital.
Early this month, Montoya surprised mourners at her wake when she started knocking on her coffin from inside, which prompted people to flee.
But they returned and decided to open the casket after which they let the elderly woman out and rushed her to the hospital where she underwent a week of intensive care.
Montoya, who is a retired nurse, was declared dead by doctors after she suffered a possible stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest.
According to Ecuador’s health ministry, Montoya could not respond to resuscitation efforts after waking up.
Her family had previously gathered for a wake at a funeral home on June 9, just hours after she was declared dead by doctors the first time.
Her son, Gilberto Barbera, told the Associated Press, the sound gave everyone a “fright.” He also said his mother’s condition remained dire, and she was returned to the hospital immediately.
Barbera, however, informed the publication that doctors at the hospital where his mother was rushed after the wake confirmed Montoya dead on Friday evening.
The health ministry disclosed that Montoya died from an ischemic stroke, but didn’t disclose the investigation surrounding the case.
Montoya’s sister had also filed a formal complaint about the incident and is hoping to find out the doctor who had declared her dead.
Her remains have been sent back to the same funeral home where she previously regained consciousness.
Gilberto said his mother would be buried at a public cemetery.
