Cause of Death Revealed for Teen Following ‘One Chip Challenge
The cause of death has been confirmed for Harris Wolobah, the 14-year-old boy who died after participating in Paqui’s “One Chip Challenge.”
Harris Wolobah, a sophomore at Doherty Memorial High School in Massachusetts, passed away due to a high level of chili pepper extract ingestion, as reported by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The precise cause of death was identified as cardiopulmonary arrest “in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration.” However, the examiner could not definitively state that the chip was the capsaicin source.
Further investigation revealed that Wolobah had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect, conditions his family was unaware of at the time of his death.
This lack of awareness is common with cardiomegaly, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
A representative for Paqui expressed deep sadness over Wolobah’s death, extending condolences to his family and friends.
The company emphasized that the One Chip Challenge was intended only for adults, with clear labeling warning against consumption by children or individuals sensitive to spicy foods or with underlying health conditions.
The representative noted an increase in reports of teens and others ignoring these warnings, which led to the voluntary removal of the product from shelves in September 2023. The One Chip Challenge has since been discontinued.
According to CBS News’ WBZ, Wolobah took part in the One Chip Challenge on September 1. This viral social media trend involves eating a chip made with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.
Harris’s mother, Lois Wolobah, received a call from the school nurse that day, informing her that Harris had fainted after eating the chip.
Family members picked him up and brought him home, where they found him unconscious later that afternoon. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Harris was pronounced dead.
Worcester Public Schools confirmed that Harris had visited the nurse’s office feeling unwell before leaving school that day. His father, Amos Wolobah, stated that Harris had no known pre-existing conditions.
In a heartfelt statement, Lois Wolobah expressed her grief and implored other parents not to endure the same pain.
A GoFundMe page described Harris as “a light that lit up the room with his presence and subtle charm,” highlighting his intelligence, quirky nature, and talents.
Paqui withdrew the One Chip Challenge from the market following Harris’s death, acknowledging the product’s unintended use by minors despite clear warnings on its packaging. They are working with retailers to process refunds for the product.
Cause of Death Revealed for Teen Following ‘One Chip Challenge
