Guatemala teenager wakes up inside coffin during funeral wake

A 15-year-old girl, Yuleidy Ixcotoyac, regained consciousness inside her coffin during her own funeral wake in the village of El Jocote, Quiché, Guatemala. The incident occurred on October 10 after the teenager was believed to have died while being transported to a medical center.

According to her father, Abraham Ixcotoyac, an evangelical pastor, the girl fell ill in the early morning hours complaining of severe chest pain. During the drive to the hospital, he believed she had passed away because he could not detect a pulse or breathing. Because no medical professional examined her or issued an official death certificate, the family proceeded with funeral arrangements.

After approximately eight hours in the casket, the girl's mother, Lesvia Ríos, noticed movement through the coffin's viewing window. Yuleidy subsequently sat up and requested water. Authorities, including the Attorney General's Office (PGN) and the Public Ministry (MP), have opened investigations to determine the cause of her collapse and to evaluate whether negligence occurred by placing a minor in a coffin without medical confirmation of death.