Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Walter Williams dead: US man who woke up in a body bag dies two weeks later

The 78-year-old woke up in the funeral home in late February as he was about to be embalmed

Kashmira Gander
Friday 14 March 2014 00:17 GMT
Comments
Mr Williams pictured when he was recovering in hospital
Mr Williams pictured when he was recovering in hospital

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A man who was found alive in a body bag at funeral home when he was mistakenly pronounced dead, has died aged 78.

Walter Williams passed away at his home in Lexington, Mississippi at around 4:15 am on Thursday morning, according to Holmes County Coroner Dexter Howard.

The elderly man died of natural causes, said Mr Howard.

Mr Williams's made headlines in February when he awoke as workers at Porter and Sons Funeral Home in the US state were preparing to embalm him and he began to move.

Paramedics rushed him to hospital, and he was released a few days later.

“We got him into the embalming room, and we noticed his legs beginning to move, like kicking,” Howard told US TV netowkr CNN last month.

“He also began to do a little breathing.”

Doctors say a mix of medicines may have caused his vital signs to appear unresponsive.

Family members also said Mr Williams's pacemaker may have stopped working and then started again.

“Every case I do is a learning experience,” Howard told the US TV network.

When asked what the Williams case taught him, he replied: “That miracles can happen.”

"I think he's gone this time," Williams' nephew, Eddie Hester, told CNN.

"It was a two-week miracle for me, and I enjoyed every minute of it, and my family did too," Hester added.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in