A shocking case in Kentucky has sparked state and federal investigations after a man declared brain dead woke up during the process of organ donation. Anthony Thomas “TJ” Hoover II, who had suffered cardiac arrest following a drug overdose in October 2021, regained consciousness just as doctors at Baptist Health in Richmond were preparing to harvest his organs.
Hoover’s sister, Donna Rhorer, was initially informed by doctors that Hoover had no brain activity and was unlikely to survive. The family agreed to remove him from life support, believing he had consented to organ donation. As the hospital tested his organs for viability and held a ceremony in his honor, Hoover’s eyes suddenly opened, tracking the movements of his loved ones.
Despite this, medical staff reportedly assured the family it was a reflex, with Rhorer recalling, “We were told it was just reflexes, just a normal thing. Who are we to question the medical system?” However, an hour later, a doctor informed the family that Hoover “wasn’t ready” for the procedure.
Rhorer has been caring for her brother since, noting that although he remains severely impaired—struggling to walk, talk, and remember things—his unexpected survival has left lasting questions about the handling of his case.
The full details of Hoover’s surgery only came to light in January 2024 when a former employee of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) contacted Rhorer, revealing that Hoover had begun “thrashing” and “crying visibly” during the organ retrieval process. The former employee also raised the issue with a congressional committee, which held a hearing in September to probe into organ-procurement practices.
In response, Baptist Health stated that patient safety is their “highest priority” and emphasized that they work closely with families to respect patients’ wishes for organ donation. KODA denied the claims, arguing that the case “has not been accurately represented” and that organs are never collected from live patients.
The incident has raised concerns about public trust in the organ transplant system, which has over 100,000 people on the waiting list. Medical ethics expert Dr. Robert Trulog acknowledged that such “horrifying stories” need thorough investigation but cautioned that these are likely isolated incidents. “I believe that these are really one-offs…that hopefully we’ll be able to get to the bottom of and prevent from ever happening again.”
For Rhorer, sharing her brother’s story is essential. “In my heart of hearts, I knew something went on,” she said. “Who am I to go up against the medical system? But if this gives one other family the courage to speak up or saves one other life, it’s worth it.”
Source: The Guardian, WKYT, National Public Radio
