A woman who was clinically dead for 11 minutes shared an extraordinary account of what she believed to be the “afterlife.” Charlotte Holmes, from Wichita, Kansas, experienced this profound event in 2019, offering insights that might comfort those wondering about life after death.
During a routine cardiologist visit, Charlotte’s blood pressure spiked to a dangerous 234 over 134, putting her at risk of a stroke or heart attack. Her heart stopped for 11 minutes, and she was declared clinically dead. Charlotte later recounted her vivid experiences of ‘heaven’ and a brief glimpse of ‘hell’ on the TV program The 700 Club.
She described the remarkable beauty she encountered during the time she was considered clinically dead, believing she was taken to heaven. “I could smell the most beautiful flowers and hear music,” she recalled. “When I opened my eyes, I knew I was in heaven.” She said angels guided her deeper into this paradise, where there was overwhelming joy and no fear.
She also noted that the angels looked youthful, appearing to be in their 30s and in perfect health. “As the scriptures say, ‘We will be known as we were known,’” she explained, recognizing the angels in their heavenly forms.
One particularly emotional moment was when Charlotte reunited with a child she had lost during pregnancy. “I wondered, ‘Who is this?’ and God said, ‘It’s your child,’” she shared. She explained that the child had continued to grow in heaven, even though there is no concept of time in eternity.
Charlotte also described a contrasting experience, saying, “God showed me hell—the smell and the rotting flesh were unbearable, especially after seeing heaven.” She felt she had been given a mission to return and share what she had seen.
After 11 minutes, Charlotte was revived, fully recovering and eventually being discharged from the hospital. However, she passed away in 2023 at age 72, following a heart attack.