US teen died from eating spicy chip in social media challenge, autopsy shows
- Harris Wolobah, who had a congenital heart defect, died of cardiopulmonary arrest after ingesting a large quantity of chilli pepper extract, the report says
- The chip, which came individually wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box, was pulled from store shelves shortly after the teen’s death
A US teen who took part in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media died from eating a large quantity of chilli pepper extract and also had a congenital heart defect, according to an autopsy report obtained by Associated Press.
Harris Wolobah, a 10th grader from the city of Worcester, died on September 1, 2023, after eating the chip manufactured by Paqui.
The cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest “in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration”, according to the autopsy from the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner. Capsaicin is the component that gives chilli peppers their heat.
The autopsy also said that Wolobah had cardiomegaly, meaning an enlarged heart, and a congenital defect described as “myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery”.
A myocardial bridge occurs when a segment of a major artery of the heart runs within the heart muscle instead of on its surface, according to Dr James Udelson, chief of cardiology at Tufts Medical Centre.