Family Told Loved One Died in Crash, Turns Out its Untrue

A family experienced an emotional rollercoaster after being informed of the death of their loved one, only to later discover that the information was incorrect.

Initial Misidentification Leads to Heartbreaking News

Sheila Nagengast received a devastating call from New York Police Department officials, who told her that her 44-year-old sister, Denise Owen, had been killed in a car accident on Staten Island on October 31. This tragic news left the family grappling with shock and grief as they tried to process the sudden loss of a beloved family member.

The news was particularly distressing for Nagengast, as her sister Denise had faced difficult life challenges, including bouts of homelessness and schizophrenia. This added layer of vulnerability made the notification even more heartbreaking. “They said, ‘I’m sorry to inform you but your sister has been killed fatally in a car accident,’” Nagengast recounted to WABC-TV, describing the shattering moment.

Family’s Discovery of the Truth

While Nagengast was meeting with a lawyer, she received an unexpected call from her other sister, who had news that turned the family’s grief into shock and confusion. Owen was alive and well. “She FaceTimed me, and my sister Denise is standing directly in front of my [other] sister. Alive and well,” Nagengast said, recalling the moment of relief and disbelief. In a statement, the New York Police Department confirmed the misidentification, stating that “during our initial investigation, the NYPD misidentified the victim of a fatal vehicle collision.” They added that upon further investigation, they were able to make a correct identification of the victim and notify the appropriate family. “We apologize for the unfortunate grief we may have caused,” the NYPD’s statement read.

Legal and Emotional Aftermath

Following the incident, the family’s attorney, Jonathan D’Agostino, spoke out, emphasizing the impact that this misidentification had on Nagengast and her family. “Had the police been more diligent in following standard protocol in this matter, the family would have been spared the infliction of emotional distress,” D’Agostino told PEOPLE.

D’Agostino is now working with the actual victim’s family, though he refrained from sharing further details. His statement raises questions about the investigative protocols used in such cases and whether this error could have been avoided with more thorough verification procedures.

For Nagengast and her family, the ordeal has been nothing short of a nightmare, highlighting the deep emotional toll that such a miscommunication can have on families. This experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of accuracy and compassion in cases of tragic loss and the profound impact that missteps in communication can have on loved ones left behind.