An Ecuadorian woman who surprised guests at her wake by knocking on her coffin earlier this month died Friday after a week of intensive care.
Doctors declared 76-year-old Bella Montoya, a retired nurse, dead after she suffered a possible stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest. Ecuador’s health ministry said Montoya did not respond to resuscitation efforts.
Her family had previously gathered for a wake at a funeral home on June 9, just hours after Montoya was declared dead by doctors the first time. But everything came to a stop when they heard a sound coming from inside the coffin.
Montoya’s 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.
On Saturday morning, Barbera told the publication that doctors at the hospital where she was rushed after the wake confirmed Montoya died Friday evening.
The woman, also 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.
Montoya’s 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. However, everything came to a stop when they heard a sound coming from inside the coffin.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, the woman’s remains have been sent back to the same funeral home where she previously regained consciousness.
Her son said she would be buried at a public cemetery.
