Tears As Teenage Boy Dies After Attempting Viral Social Media Challenge
A Southern California couple is grieving the loss of their 13-year-old son, Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., who they suspect died after participating in a deadly social media challenge.
The parents found their son, known by friends and family as ‘Deuce’ unresponsive in his bedroom on the morning of February 3, after a family evening spent watching the Grammy Awards together, according to KTLA.
In a desperate bid to save their son, Ohaeri Jr.’s mother administered CPR while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., sought help from a neighbour and the police.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the teenager was later pronounced dead.
Although it first seemed that Ohaeri Jr. had died by suicide, his parents were skeptical. Their independent investigation revealed that their late son had learned about a dangerous social media challenge, according to KTLA.
He was the oldest of four brothers and had a passion for music and sports, particularly football. Growing up in a military family in Murrieta, Deuce cherished family activities and spending time with his loved ones.
“He had a good sense of humor and a great wit about him,” the boy’s father, Nnamdi Ohaeri, Sr., told KTLA.
After Deuce was found unresponsive in his room and later pronounced dead, his parents began their own investigation. They soon discovered that he had learned about a social media challenge where children were causing themselves to pass out.
“I heard something where this young person tried to make themselves pass out and I guess they came back from it,” Ohaeri, Sr. said.
The grieving parents said it’s the only explanation that makes sense.
They noted that Deuce didn’t have any social media accounts, and his phone was under strict parental controls. This has led them to believe he may have heard about the game from other students at school.
Similar dangerous TikTok challenges, like the “Blackout Challenge,” encourage participants to hold their breath until they lose consciousness due to a lack of oxygen. TikTok is currently facing multiple lawsuits from parents who allege their children died after attempting the viral trend.
Deuce’s parents are left with many unanswered questions as they try to make sense of the events leading to their son’s death. They emphasized that they have always taught their children to be cautious of harmful outside influences.
The family held a funeral and a celebration of life for Deuce, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support they’ve received from their community and loved ones.
