End of life nurse reveal why patients let out a ‘death rattle’ before they die: ‘The scariest thing you’ve ever heard’ [Video]

12:14 EDT 13 May 2024, updated 12:43 EDT 13 May 2024

A hospice nurse is raising awareness about the ‘death rattle’ patients let out before they die – and why it’s nothing to be alarmed about.

Julie McFadden, who administers end-of-life care in Los Angeles, said the noise — like a gurgling or wet, crackling sound — is a normal part of the dying process.

It doesn’t cause patients any pain, who are normally unconscious, being triggered by air passing through fluid building up in the mouth as someone breathes.

But despite this, the noise still leaves many relatives ‘traumatized’ and convinced their loved ones died in suffering.

Ms McFadden said online: ‘The death rattle, it is the most normal thing and to be expected at the end …