In a heartbreaking turn of events, a family is taking legal action against several major corporations after their teenage son tragically died following a viral internet dare. The challenge at the center of this tragedy? The notorious One Chip Challenge, which has been making rounds online and proves just how dangerous these viral stunts can be.
The challenge involves daring participants to eat a Paqui Carolina Reaper chip, notorious for being excruciatingly hot, and then attempting to refrain from drinking or eating anything to cool the burn for as long as they can endure. The packaging warns against consumption by “children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or with underlying health conditions,” yet this hasn’t stopped eager teens from trying it out and sharing their reactions online.
Tragically, Harris Wolobah, a young teen from Massachusetts, lost his life on September 1, 2023, after participating in this risky challenge. An autopsy revealed a lethal mix of a congenital heart defect and a high intake of chile pepper extract, which ultimately led to his untimely death.
The official autopsy from the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner stated that Harris succumbed to “cardiopulmonary arrest in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration,” pinpointing the extreme levels of capsaicin, a potent compound in chili peppers, as a contributing factor.
In a bold move, the family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit with Suffolk Superior Court against big names like Hershey and Walgreens on July 11. They are represented by attorney Douglas Sheff, who didn’t mince words when addressing the media:
“Today we filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of this wonderful family for the loss of their beloved son, Harris.
“The defendants charged about $10 for each chip, $10 for the chip that killed Harris, $10 for his life,
“Isn’t it clear that these defendants knew full well that this chip was unreasonably dangerous? And isn’t this an obvious marketing campaign designed to attract kids to that very danger?”
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages, reflecting the family’s determination to seek justice for Harris’s untimely and preventable death.
In the wake of this tragedy, the community has rallied to show their support. Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez shared a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of Harris, a bright and promising sophomore at Doherty Memorial High School.
“It is with a heavy heart I share that we lost a rising star, Harris Wolobah, who was a sophomore scholar at Doherty Memorial High School.”
“As a mother and educator, I cannot imagine how hard this is on his family, friends, and teachers. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him.
“Worcester Public Schools is offering counseling and social emotional support for those who have been impacted by this tragedy.”