Autopsy reveals Massachusetts teen died from eating chip involved in “One Chip Challenge”

An autopsy has confirmed that a chip involved in a social media challenge has claimed the life of a Massachusetts teenager.

According to family, 14-year-old Harris Wolobah of Worcester passed away unexpectedly on September 1st, 2023, believed to be from complications due to the “One Chip Challenge”. An autopsy obtained by the Associated Press, this week stated that Wolobah’s cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest “in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration.” The report also stated that the teen had a congenital heart defect.

The “One Chip Challenge” began in 2016 and at the time involved eating a chip laced with Carolina Reaper and Scorpion peppers and then waiting as long as you can to eat or drink something else.

The chip was pulled from store shelves shortly after Wolobah’s death.

Harris was described as a light that lit up the room with his presence and subtle charm, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser.

“He was an intelligent, quirky and incredibly talented young man who loved video games and playing basketball!”