Some stories stop you in your tracks and make you hold your breath. That happened in New York, where an 82-year-old woman was declared dead but found alive two hours later. Her family is now heartbroken and searching for answers.

Janet Balducci had been living in a Long Island nursing home when staff pronounced her dead one morning. Her body was placed in a sealed bag and taken to a nearby funeral home. But when workers unzipped the bag, they saw she was still breathing.

The discovery left her sons in shock. They now believe their mother was misdiagnosed and worry she may not have received the care she needed. The thought of their mother being placed in a body bag while still alive is something they struggle to understand.

A criminal investigation is underway, and state officials are reviewing the nursing home’s actions. They want to know whether proper medical checks were done and whether staff followed all required steps. The family’s lawyer says the case shows how easily elderly people can be overlooked when they have no one speaking up for them.

Janet was taken to the hospital soon after she was found alive. She passed away the next morning while receiving palliative care. Her family hopes the investigation brings clarity—and helps prevent another tragedy like this.

For now, they hold tight to the belief that every person deserves dignity, care, and gentleness in their final moments.