A museum in Las Vegas has issued a firm response after a Texas mother claimed she recognized her late son’s body in its Real Bodies exhibition. The allegation has drawn widespread attention, as the family has searched for answers since his mysterious death in 2012.

Kim Erick, 54, says she was overwhelmed when she saw a plastinated cadaver during her visit. She believes the preserved figure closely resembles her son, 23-year-old Chris Todd Erick. Chris died suddenly at his grandmother’s home in Midlothian, Texas. Although his death was first labeled natural, later toxicology tests revealed a lethal level of cyanide. Authorities eventually ruled the case a suicide by “undetermined means,” a conclusion Kim has never accepted.

Years after his death, Kim learned about the Real Bodies exhibit and felt one specimen shared features shown in her son’s autopsy images. She contacted the exhibition and asked for DNA testing. She also claims the cadaver later disappeared from public view, raising more questions for her family.

Imagine Exhibitions, the company operating Real Bodies, strongly denies her claims. The museum says the cadaver has been on display since 2004 and cannot be connected to Chris. It also maintains that all specimens are ethically sourced and biologically unidentifiable.

Despite these assurances, Kim continues her search. She is now requesting testing of unidentified cremated remains recently discovered in Nevada.

“I just need the truth,” she said. “I can’t stop until I find out what happened to my son.”