A Texas mother's visit to a Las Vegas museum turned into a nightmare when she allegedly discovered her deceased son's body on public display, skinned and preserved for exhibition visitors.
The Horrific Discovery
Kim Erick, 54, was visiting the Real Bodies exhibition in Las Vegas when she encountered what she firmly believes is the body of her son, Chris. The traumatic experience left her shaken to her core after seeing his remains "skinned" and "butchered" for public viewing.
"I knew it was him; it was so unbelievably painful to look at," Kim recalled. "My words cannot describe how this shook me and my family to its core. I was actually looking at pictures of my son's skinned, butchered body. It is gut-wrenching."
A Mother's Unending Grief
The heartbreaking story dates back to November 2012 when Chris was found dead at his grandmother's home. Police initially investigated the death and informed Kim that her son had died peacefully in his sleep. However, Kim remained suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Her concerns grew when Chris's father, Kim's ex-partner, arranged for cremation without discussing funeral arrangements with her. She later received a small necklace containing a vial of ashes, supposedly belonging to her beloved son.
Unanswered Questions and New Evidence
Kim's persistence led to police reopening the investigation, during which she received photographs of Chris's body at the death scene showing bruises and cuts. "The photos were very disturbing," Kim told The Sun. "There were restraining marks across Chris's arms, chest and abdomen."
A toxicology report later revealed a fatal quantity of cyanide in Chris's body, further fueling Kim's conviction that he was murdered. Although a 2014 jury investigation ultimately determined the death was likely suicide, Kim has continued campaigning for answers.
The Museum Connection
Years after her son's death, Kim came across the Real Bodies exhibition and, after examining photos of the displayed bodies, became convinced that one of them is Chris. She noted striking similarities, including what appeared to be a crushed skull injury matching one Chris would have likely sustained.
"I started looking online for the deep skull fracture I saw in Chris's right temple of his head when he died," she explained. "When I saw the platinated body online in the news article with this same skull fracture... it was too painful to look closer."
Another suspicious detail involved Chris's recognizable tattoos, which appeared to have been "shaved away" on the exhibition body. This is particularly unusual since tattoos typically remain visible on preserved bodies due to the ink's deep penetration. The only method to remove a tattoo is to peel off the skin, something Kim believes was done to conceal the body's identity.
Official Responses and Ongoing Battle
Despite Kim's claims, both the museum and police have denied her allegations. Imagine Exhibitions, Inc., owners of Real Bodies, issued a statement saying: "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."
The exhibition maintains that all specimens are ethically sourced from China and are biologically unidentifiable. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring all exhibits meet the highest ethical and legal standards.
Kim has never visited the exhibition in person due to the distance but has pleaded with curators to hand over the remains for proper identification. She continues to demand DNA tests to confirm whether the displayed body is indeed her son, maintaining that there are sinister aspects to both his death and his alleged appearance in the museum.
The Real Bodies exhibition showcases actual human bodies that have been meticulously preserved, offering visitors unique insight into human anatomy. However, for Kim Erick, it has become the site of her worst nightmare and a continuing battle for truth about her son's fate.
