Freddie Clarence Williams was found unconscious from a drug overdose and was taken to a hospital in New York City, US, last July. He was eventually declared brain-dead.

His sister Shirell Powell had been at the bedside daily since his admission and was asked about discontinuing life-support. She notified other relatives, including his daughter, who came from interstate to say goodbye.

After all support was removed, an autopsy by the city medical examiner discovered that the deceased was not Ms Powell’s brother. How the medical examiner determined what the hospital could not do was not explained.

The family was notified and stopped planning the funeral.