Li Xiufeng's 'Artificial Death' and Return

In February 2012, 95-year-old Li Xiufeng, a village elder in China — Beiliu, China — Guangxi, China, was found unresponsive by her neighbor Chen Qingwang after a severe fall. She was declared dead, and in accordance with Chinese tradition, her coffin remained open in her home for several days. However, the day before her funeral, Chen Qingwang discovered her coffin empty. Li Xiufeng was subsequently found in her kitchen, calmly preparing a meal, stating she had woken up hungry and climbed out of the coffin. Doctors later determined she had experienced 'artificial death,' a rare condition where breathing ceases but the body remains warm. While Li Xiufeng was saved, a local custom dictated that all her earthly belongings be burned after her 'death,' leaving her with nothing. The article also mentions similar cases of 'artificial death' involving Premature burial in United States — North Carolina, United States, in 1915 and Walter Williams in United States — Mississippi, United States, in 2014.