Family Believes Sudden Death of 14-Year-Old Resulted from One Chip Challenge

Massachusetts teen dies after taking part in viral "One Chip Challenge"; family suspects complications from eating spicy chip.

A devastating incident has occurred in Massachusetts, as a teenager tragically lost his life after participating in the viral "One Chip Challenge." This challenge involves eating an incredibly spicy tortilla chip, claimed to be the hottest in the world, and enduring the intense heat without any relief. The chip, produced by Paqui, comes in a coffin-shaped container and carries explicit warnings to keep it away from children, restrict consumption to adults, and avoid it if sensitive to spicy food or allergens. Paqui's website even advises seeking medical help if experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fainting, or prolonged nausea.

The victim of this tragic incident is 14-year-old Harris Wolobah from Worcester. It is reported that Harris ate one of the chips given to him by a classmate at Doherty Memorial High School on Friday, September 1. According to Harris' mother, Lois Walobah, the school nurse informed them that he had a severe stomach ache as a result. Consequently, Harris was sent home with his family that day.

Initially, Harris appeared to be feeling better when he returned home from school. However, later that afternoon, he suddenly passed out before heading to basketball tryouts. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was sadly pronounced dead there.

The loss of Harris has deeply affected the community, with Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez expressing her condolences. "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," said Monárrez. "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."

Harris' mother, Lois Walobah, spoke to CBS News about her devastating loss, saying, "I hope, I pray to God that no parents will go through what I'm going through. I don't want to see anybody hurting the way I'm hurting." Harris' father, Amos, emphasized that their son had no known pre-existing conditions and was a healthy basketball player without any allergies. The family is struggling to cope with their grief, expressing their pain and longing for their beloved Harris.

The circumstances surrounding Harris' death are currently under investigation by the Worcester police, and autopsy results are still pending. It remains unclear if any criminal activity is involved. Lois Walobah believes that her son should have been taken to the hospital instead of being sent home, and she wants to raise awareness about the dangers of participating in such challenges.

In response to the tragic loss, the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help alleviate the financial burden of funeral expenses during this incredibly difficult time. The page has already received tremendous support, with 538 donors contributing $26,597 towards the $30,000 goal.

The "One Chip Challenge" has gained popularity on social media over time. According to Paqui's website, the chip does not have an official Scoville rating, but its seasoning utilizes two of the hottest peppers available: the Carolina Reaper Pepper and Naga Viper Pepper, which measure approximately 1.7 million Scoville units and 1.4 million units, respectively.