Woman declared dead found breathing at funeral home

DETROIT — A woman at a Detroit funeral home was breathing after first responders declared her dead earlier in the day.

Southfield Fire Department paramedics received a 911 call for an unidentified 20-year-old Southfield woman who was in cardiac arrest Sunday morning, according to WDIV-TV. After attempting to revive her, medical personnel determined that she had died.

“At 7:34 a.m. on August 23, 2020, Southfield Fire Department paramedics arrived at a home in Southfield on a call for an unresponsive female. When paramedics arrived, they found a 20-year-old who was not breathing. The paramedics performed CPR and other life reviving methods for 30 minutes. Given medical readings and the condition of the patient, it was determined at that time that she did not have signs of life.” the chief said in a statement obtained by WDIV-TV.

She was taken to James H. Cole Home for Funerals around noon Sunday. The staff at the funeral home said that she was still breathing after she arrived.

“After receiving clearance from the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office she was transported to our funeral home. Upon her arrival at the funeral home, our staff confirmed she was breathing and called EMS,” James H. Cole Home for Funerals confirmed to WDIV-TV.

The woman was taken to a hospital, WDIV-TV and The Detroit News reported. No other information on the location, her name or current condition was immediately available Monday.

“We couldn’t believe it,” said Dave Fornell, deputy commissioner of the Detroit fire department, who added that her heart rate was 80.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Cox Media Group