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(KMOV) - East St. Louis police admit to a major mistake, and say they mis-identified a body found shot to death one week ago.

Two families now are asking questions after a man believed to be dead is actually alive.

Apparently the father of Frederic McWherter Jr. identified his son twice to police, and so a death certificate and funeral were arranged for McWherter Jr.

One week later however, McWherter's wife tells News 4 that her husband called her saying that he was at a treatment center in St. Louis.

Police soon realized that the actual shooting victim was Kenny Stainback.

The family of Stainback's was just recently notified of his death and that he was already buried.

Police tell News 4 that the body has to be exhumed for Stainback's family to have a proper burial.