The case of the Haitian zombie who returned home 21 years after his death

Do zombies really exist? Don't even try to play the scientifically correct one here and say they don't exist, because the story we're going to tell you below can change your beliefs. So first of all, open your head - it need not be literally.

Haitian Clairvius Narcisse became very ill in 1962, having experienced moments of fever, intense pain and reported the sensation of mosquitoes piercing his skin. Not to mention the extreme difficulty in breathing. He was then taken to the hospital, where he was seen by two doctors, but shortly afterwards was pronounced dead. The wake was brief and the funeral was soon held.

Narcisse, however, said he never really died. What happened was that he woke up, somewhat disturbed, in a coffin and buried. The Haitian believes he was poisoned and the victim of some kind of spell. The next night, he was exhumed by a voodoo shaman and taken to an unknown place. Detail: He received a mix that left him in a zombie state.

Slave

Image Source: Reproduction / Keromedo

After that, Narcisse claims to have become a slave, being forced to work day and night on a sugarcane plantation - every day he and the other prisoners received the same mix that made them zombie workers. Was this the most macabre plan of all time?

The fact is that the prisoners were released at one point and Narcisse claims to have spent 18 years wandering the streets, looking for his family, who at this point was absolutely certain of his death. In 1981, while wandering through a village, Narcisse recognized her sister and she recognized him - at least that's what she could understand by the frightened, loud screams she gave. He convinced his sister that it was him when he used a nickname that only the family knew.

Reunion

Narcisse points to his own name on his grave. Image Source: Reproduction / Kreyolicious

The neighbors also recognized Narcisse and soon a psychiatrist was called in to help understand the event. The Haitian answered all personal and family questions without the slightest problem. When everyone even confirmed that Narcisse was Narcisse, the international press soon appeared to cover the more than bizarre story.

In addition to the doctor and the press, a Harvard researcher, Wade Davis, showed a lot of interest in studying the case. Davis, an expert on the use of plants by humans, said the Haitian might even have been forced to use some substance that left him sedated and subordinate.

The researcher further explained that a toxin known as TTX can leave a person's body in a dead state - when someone ingestes this toxin, they become catatonic and have very few vital signs. In Haiti, TTX can be found in a frog species.

Davis believes the substance responsible for making Narcisse hallucinate and working as a slave for so long is a toxin known as Datura stramonium . So what do you think about this completely crazy story? The case was never completely unraveled.

* Originally posted 21/10/2013.

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