LINCOLN, NE – An elderly woman, pronounced dead in a nursing home, was later found alive and breathing after she was transported to a local funeral home. This unique incident unfolded Monday in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska, according to the county sheriff’s office.
A nursing home had declared the 74-year-old woman dead at approximately 9:44 a.m. that day. Subsequently, she was moved from there to the Butherus-Maser & Love Funeral Home in Lincoln for funeral preparations.
At the funeral home, around two hours later, an observant staff member noticed the lady was still breathing and instantly dialed 911, explained Lancaster County Chief Deputy Ben Houchin. The funeral home employees initiated CPR before the elderly woman, identified as Constance Glantz from Lincoln, was subsequently taken to a local hospital where she is now alive, he added. Her family has been apprised of the situation.
Deputy Houchin, during a Monday press briefing, described the situation as a “very unusual case,” remarking that he hadn’t encountered anything like this in his 31-year-long career. He explained that as the woman’s death was anticipated and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the supposed death, the nursing home was under no obligation to inform authorities or the coroner.
The sheriff’s office is currently investigating the case. However, Deputy Houchin stated that the initial investigation had not identified any criminal intent on the part of the nursing home. No criminal charges are pending at this stage, he clarified.