Spicy Chip Challenge Linked to Massachusetts Teen's Death, Autopsy Confirms

A Massachusetts 10th grader, Harris Wolobah, died following his participation in a social media challenge involving the consumption of a spicy tortilla chip, according to autopsy results. Wolobah was found unresponsive at his home on September 1, 2023, and subsequently taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The autopsy revealed the cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest due to the ingestion of a substance with a high capsaicin concentration, found in chili peppers and used to make the spicy chip for the Paqui One Chip Challenge. The medical examiner also noted that the teen had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect, which may have contributed to the fatal outcome.

The incident has brought attention to the potential risks associated with social media challenges, especially those that encourage the consumption of extreme or potentially harmful substances. The medical examiner's findings have not ruled out any other factors in the death, leaving open questions about the specific role the spicy chip may have played. The case underscores the need for awareness regarding the unintended consequences of viral internet trends.