A Boy’s Remarkable Journey: Dying, Coming Back, and Sharing Jesus’ Message

A young boy claims to have died in a car accident, gone to heaven, and returned with a message he says Jesus entrusted him to share with the world. His story is one of tragedy, hope, and a mission to spread this divine message before it’s too late.

On October 19, 1997, eight-year-old Landon Whitley was riding home from church with his parents when their lives changed forever. The car accident that ensued not only took his father’s life but also resulted in Landon’s near-death experience. “I didn’t see what my dad was yelling about,” Landon recalled. Unfortunately, an ambulance collided with their vehicle at an intersection, killing his father instantly. According to Landon’s mother, Julie Kemp, that was the last moment she heard her husband’s voice before tragedy struck.

As rescuers worked to stabilize Julie, they were initially unaware that Landon was in the backseat. He had been sitting directly behind his father, and due to the severe damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle, they didn’t see him right away. It wasn’t until they found one of Landon’s shoes that they realized he was in the car. When they eventually pulled him from the wreckage, he wasn’t breathing.

Landon’s life was in serious jeopardy. He died three times that day—once at the accident scene and twice on the way to the hospital—but was resuscitated each time. Although he was brought back to life, doctors warned Julie that if he survived, his brain damage would likely leave him unable to walk, talk, or function like a typical eight-year-old. In that moment of despair, Julie said she was willing to accept whatever condition Landon was in, as long as she could have him in her life.

As Julie buried her husband and faced the uncertainty of her son’s recovery, she struggled with her faith. “I was angry at God,” Julie admitted. She questioned why angels hadn’t protected her family during the accident. But at the same time, she prayed fervently for Landon’s survival, as her faith wavered between devastation and hope.

Miraculously, two weeks after the accident, Landon woke up. To the amazement of his doctors and his mother, he showed no signs of brain damage. Julie, relieved that her son was alive, now faced the difficult task of telling him that his father had passed away. She approached him cautiously, asking if he knew where his dad was. Landon responded calmly, “I saw him in heaven.”

Landon’s account of heaven was nothing short of extraordinary. He described not only seeing his father but also meeting two siblings he had never known. Julie had suffered two miscarriages before Landon’s birth, but she had never told him about them. Yet, Landon confidently shared that he had seen his siblings in heaven. “I just knew they were my siblings,” Landon said, amazed by the experience.

On his third visit to heaven during one of his resuscitations, Landon claimed to have met Jesus. He explained that Jesus gave him a mission: to return to Earth, live as a faithful Christian, and share his story with others. “Jesus told me to share Him with the world,” Landon explained, and from that point on, he dedicated his life to spreading the message that heaven, angels, and Jesus are real.

Years after the accident, Landon and his mother Julie continue to share their story with others, particularly those grieving and searching for hope. Julie reflected on the difficult journey, realizing that although she didn’t understand why God allowed the accident to happen, she now believes angels were watching over them all along.

Today, Landon speaks openly about his experiences in heaven, using his miraculous survival to spread the message Jesus gave him. Julie, too, feels blessed to see her son fulfilling this divine purpose. “Seeing my child share Jesus with others is such a blessing,” she said, confident that their story can bring hope and faith to those who need it most.