Do you believe in life after death? Marine veteran Dannion Brinkley says he’s been there—and back. His near-death stories have captivated thousands and sparked new conversations about what really happens when we die.
In 1975, Brinkley’s life changed forever when lightning struck him inside his own home. The odds of that? Less than one in a million.
Lightning Strike Changes Everything
Brinkley, now 74, described the terrifying moment to KLAS News.
“It went into the side of my head above my ear, it went down my spine,” he said. “It threw me up in the air, I saw the ceiling, it slammed me back down. A ball of fire came through the room and blinded me. I was burning. On fire. And paralyzed.”
Declared Dead, Then Came Back
Brinkley was rushed to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead. He was placed in the morgue.
Roughly 28 minutes later, he says he came back to life.
During those minutes, he believes his soul separated from his body. He remembers a bright light and a full life review—what many describe as a “near-death experience.”
He Had to Learn to Walk Again
Recovery wasn’t easy. It took two full years for Brinkley to walk again. But he says the lightning wasn’t his only brush with death.
More than a decade later, during open heart surgery, Brinkley once again flatlined—and once again says he saw the other side.
A Second Encounter with Death
During that surgery, Brinkley claims he was reunited with angelic guides. They reminded him of his life’s purpose and told him he was meant to help others.
He later published Saved by the Light, a bestselling book that details his experiences and the spiritual lessons he says he learned.
Scientists Are Taking Notice
Brinkley’s stories have their skeptics. But some experts say he may be onto something.
Dr. Sam Parnia, a resuscitation expert at NYU Langone Health, says research shows signs of brain activity up to an hour after clinical death.
“These are not hallucinations,” Parnia told The Post. “They’re unique experiences that differ from dreams and illusions.”
Brinkley Uses His Story to Help Others
Brinkley now spends his days counseling terminally ill patients and veterans. He teaches them not to fear death and shares his journey to comfort those facing the end.
“When you learn you don’t die—when you truly believe you’re a spiritual being—it changes how you live,” he said.
He Believes No One Truly Dies
Brinkley’s message is clear: death is not the end.
“Nobody dies. It never happens. It’s not a part of the nature of reality,” he insists.
Whether you believe him or not, Brinkley’s powerful story has sparked new questions about life after death—and given comfort to those who fear it.
