In a shocking incident that sounds like a scene from a horror movie, a Kentucky man declared brain-dead came back to life just as surgeons prepared to harvest his organs. The 36-year-old organ donor’s terrifying ordeal has raised serious questions about the medical process and ethics behind organ transplants.
At a glance:
- Thomas “TJ” Hoover II, declared brain-dead after a drug overdose, began moving and crying as surgeons prepared to remove his organs.
- The surgery was canceled, but several employees resigned, and whistleblowers have since come forward, alleging medical misconduct.
- An investigation is underway, as Hoover now suffers long-term health issues from the ordeal.
The terrifying incident occurred at Baptist Health Richmond Hospital in Kentucky in October 2021. Thomas “TJ” Hoover II had been declared brain-dead following a drug overdose, and doctors were preparing to remove his organs for donation. However, as surgeons went to test his heart for transplantation, Hoover began moving and even crying, according to witnesses.
One former employee, Nyckoletta Martin, described the horror: “He was thrashing around on the table,” claiming Hoover was only sedated, not brain-dead. Another employee, Natasha Miller, confirmed Hoover was visibly moving and crying as the surgeons prepared to proceed.
The chaos in the operating room caused a scramble, with one supervisor allegedly pushing to continue with the transplant. However, the retrieval was ultimately canceled, and the shocking event led several employees to resign and seek therapy.
Hoover’s sister, Donna Rhorer, who had been concerned about Hoover’s state before the surgery, now serves as his legal guardian. She shared her frustration: “They are trying to play God… You lose your faith in humanity a little bit.”
Both the Kentucky Attorney General and the U.S. Health Services Resources Administration have launched investigations into the case. While the hospital insists patient safety is their top priority, whistleblowers like Martin have raised serious concerns about the organ procurement system’s practices.
The story has sparked a broader debate about organ donation ethics and the rare but alarming possibility of such medical mishaps.