Symposium 2023 - Brian Smith's Testimonial
What Researchers Found
The Story
Brian Smith is a father whose 15-year-old daughter, Shaya, died suddenly from unexplained causes on June 24, 2015, while sleeping. This tragic event triggered his series of after-death communications with her. A few weeks later, during a family vacation, he found a single dime under a van seat, which he had asked Shaya to use as a sign instead of pennies. Signs continued with his phone music pausing during walks when he requested it, his computer drive failing intermittently and then recovering, podcast covers on his phone changing to a photo of Shaya before reverting, the bedroom ceiling fan turning on randomly, a woman approaching him during a walk to say her daughter knew Shaya from Girl Scouts right after he dismissed such encounters as signs, and on the fifth anniversary, a truck ahead displaying 'I'm right here' and a 'Home' sticker with Ohio's outline. These communications helped Brian cope with grief by reminding him Shaya is still present, viewing life as a temporary human experience with signs as uplifting 'Easter eggs,' strengthening his belief in reunion and ongoing connection.
This testimonial describes after-death communications via signs like coins, electronics manipulation, and synchronicities, not veridical perceptions from an NDE. No medical crisis, impossible access, or timely verified details limit evidential strength for rvNDE criteria.
Score reflects verifiable perceptions reported. A low score indicates the experience was primarily spiritual or subjective, not that it didn't occur.
Score reflects transformation as described. Domains scored 0 indicate the topic was not discussed, not that no change occurred.
Are you here because someone you love has died?
These accounts were gathered because death may not be the end. Thousands of people have experienced something beyond — and come back to tell us about it.
What Researchers Found
This testimonial describes after-death communications via signs like coins, electronics manipulation, and synchronicities, not veridical perceptions from an NDE. No medical crisis, impossible access, or timely verified details limit evidential strength for rvNDE criteria.
Score reflects verifiable perceptions reported. A low score indicates the experience was primarily spiritual or subjective, not that it didn't occur.
Score reflects transformation as described. Domains scored 0 indicate the topic was not discussed, not that no change occurred.