Family Mourned After Being Told Loved One Died in Crash. Then They Found Out She Was 'Alive and Well'

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of an NYPD car.Photo:Getty

Getty

A family is still reeling after being told that their loved one was killed in a crash, and then learning that wasn’t true.

“They said, ‘I’m sorry to inform you but your sister has been killed fatally in a car accident,’ " added Nagengast, who said her sister experienced homelessness at times and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Then, as Nagengast was meeting with a lawyer, she said her other sister called to say Owen was alive. “She FaceTimed me, and my sister Denise..is standing directly in front of my (other) sister. Alive and well,” Nagengast said.

Personal injury attorney Jonathan D’Agostino tells PEOPLE that had “police been more diligent in following standard protocol in this matter,” the family “would have been spared the infliction of emotional distress.”

D’Agostino adds that he is now working with the “actual victim of this accident” but is not at liberty to discuss additional details.

They added, “We apologize for the unfortunate grief we may have caused.”

source: people.com