Teen died from eating a spicy chip as part of social media challenge, autopsy concludes
A medical examiner says a Massachusetts teen died from ingesting a substance ‘with a high capsaicin concentration’
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media died from ingesting a substance containing a high amount of the chili pepper extract capsaicin, according to an autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press.
The Worcester teen, a 10th grader, died on Sept. 1, 2023, after eating the chip.
He was found unresponsive by police who were called to his home, and brought to a hospital, where he died.
The cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest “in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration.”
The report also noted that the teen had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.