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Texas mom who claimed 'body of son who died was displayed in Vegas museum' said 'two words' summed up what she saw - museum has responded
Kim Erick, a 54-year-old mother from Texas, has spoken out about her belief that her late son’s remains are on display in the Real Bodies exhibition in Las Vegas. Kim was visiting the exhibition when she came across a body that she was convinced was her son Chris.
The display, which uses actual human remains preserved for educational purposes, left Kim deeply shaken. She described the body as being "skinned" and "butchered," and the sight left her in complete disbelief.
Kim’s grief is compounded by her firm belief that her son’s death was not natural. Chris passed away in November 2012 at his grandmother's house, but Kim has long maintained that his death was suspicious.
Despite police investigations that ruled out foul play, Kim continues to question the circumstances surrounding his passing. She now pleads for a DNA test on the body displayed at the museum to confirm whether it is her son.
Chris Erick's death and the family's search for answers
Kim’s bond with her son Chris was particularly strong, making his death in 2012 all the more devastating.
According to Kim, police initially said that Chris had passed away peacefully in his sleep. However, there were aspects of the situation that never sat right with her, including marks found on his body.
She mentioned to The Sun, “The photos were very disturbing. There were restraining marks across Chris’s arms, chest, and abdomen.”
This led to a murder investigation in 2014, though the jury found no supporting evidence for homicide and concluded Chris’s death was likely a suicide.
Still seeking answers, Kim continued to fight for a more thorough investigation into her son's death. She recalls coming across a display at the Real Bodies exhibition in 2018 that she believed resembled her son’s body, which prompted her to reach out to the authorities again.
She explained, “I knew it was him; it was so unbelievably painful to look at. My words cannot describe how this shook me and my family to its core."
Museum's response and the ongoing debate
In response to Kim’s claims, Imagine Exhibitions, Inc., the company behind the Real Bodies exhibition, issued a statement addressing the allegations. The company emphasized that the body in question had been on display since 2004 and could not be connected to Kim’s son.
They also assured that all specimens used in the exhibit are ethically sourced and biologically unidentifiable. The museum's statement said, "We extend our sympathy to the family, but there is no factual basis for these allegations.
"The referenced specimen has been on continuous display in Las Vegas since 2004 and cannot be associated with the individual named in these claims. All specimens are ethically sourced and biologically unidentifiable. We remain committed to ensuring that all exhibits meet the highest ethical and legal standards."
Despite the museum’s assurance, Kim remains convinced that the body is her son’s, and her emotional turmoil continues as she pushes for further investigation.
The case highlights a complex situation where the grief of a mother intersects with unsettling questions about ethics in human exhibitions and the unresolved mysteries surrounding Chris’s death.