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Mississippi Farmer Wakes Up in Body Bag Before Death

12/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Walter Williams, a 78-year-old Mississippi farmer, was mistakenly pronounced dead and placed in a body bag at a funeral home.
Just before embalming, he unexpectedly woke up, shocking staff and family.
Medical professionals had declared him deceased after failing to detect a heartbeat, possibly due to drug effects or a malfunctioning pacemaker.
He died of natural causes 15 days later on March 14, 2014.

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Story summary

Walter Williams, a 78-year-old Mississippi farmer, was mistakenly pronounced dead and placed in a body bag at a funeral home.
Just before embalming, he unexpectedly woke up, shocking staff and family.
Medical professionals had declared him deceased after failing to detect a heartbeat, possibly due to drug effects or a malfunctioning pacemaker.
He died of natural causes 15 days later on March 14, 2014.