Woman Declared Dead Found Alive in Coffin: Lazarus Effect Stuns in Czech Republic

In a jaw-dropping turn of events in the Czech Republic, an 88-year-old woman was declared dead by a coroner, only to be discovered very much alive as she was being placed into her coffin. This eerie incident, straight out of a gothic novel, unfolded when the woman’s husband found her unresponsive in bed and called emergency services in Pilsen.

Paramedics and the coroner both confirmed her passing, and undertakers were summoned to prepare her for burial. But as they moved her body in the hallway of her apartment, signs of life emerged. Yes, she was breathing again—a chilling reminder that life can sometimes defy our final pronouncements.

An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where her condition is being monitored. This rare phenomenon, known as the Lazarus Effect, named after the biblical tale of resurrection, occurs when a person pronounced dead after cardiac arrest shows signs of life post-CPR. Medical experts note that while it’s incredibly uncommon, with just 74 documented cases in the U.S. over four decades, the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind this mystery remain unsolved.

This isn’t just a medical anomaly; it’s a profound moment to reflect on the fragility—and stubbornness—of life. One can only imagine the husband’s mix of shock and relief as his world turned upside down in the span of a few hours.