‘Dead’ woman found breathing in coffin at her funeral

A 76-year-old woman from Ecuador, Bella Montoya, was declared dead following a suspected stroke. However, during her wake, her relatives discovered her gasping for air while preparing to change her clothes. 

 

 

She was rushed back to the hospital and is currently in intensive care. Ecuador's health ministry has formed a committee to investigate the incident. The church stated that Montoya had experienced cardiorespiratory arrest and did not respond to resuscitation attempts.

 

 

Her son confirmed that a doctor had initially declared her dead. A video circulating on social media shows Montoya in an open casket, visibly breathing heavily, before paramedics arrived and transferred her to an ambulance. 

 

 

She is now receiving treatment in the same hospital where she was initially declared dead.