Autopsy: Death of Doherty High student Harris Wolobah tied to One Chip Challenge

WORCESTER — An autopsy on Harris Wolobah, the Doherty Memorial High School sophomore who died in September, determined his death was caused by ingesting food with a concentration of chili pepper extract, according to a death certificate.

The description of the cause of the teen's death is consistent with his family's belief that his death was related to participating in the One Chip Challenge, which involves eating a chip that is made with a mix of Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers, some of the spiciest peppers in the world.

The challenge was long popular on social media.

The death certificate, which was obtained at the Worcester City Clerk's office Thursday, lists the cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest, or cardiac arrest, in the setting of recent ingestion of a food substance with high capsaicin concentration in a person.

The death certificate also notes Harris suffered a cardiomegaly and myocardial bridging of the left anterior of his heart, or an enlarged heart, and a descending coronary artery.

Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract. Chip manufacturer Paqui's One Chip Challenge chip has a high concentration of capsaicin.

In the aftermath of Harris' death, and calls from his family to remove the chip, Paqui announced last September that they were working to pull the chip from shelves.

At the time Paqui announced the One Chip Challenge would be removed from shelves. Paqui stated the chip is intended for adults only, with labeling highlighting that the chip is not for children, anyone sensitive to spicy foods or who has food allergies, is pregnant or has underlying health conditions.

However, the company acknowledged an increase in teens and others not adhering to the warning.

While the death certificate lists a cause of death, the manner of death could not be determined. The manner of death would list whether a death was a homicide, suicide, natural causes or an accident.

The teen's family and friends remembered him as a reserved kid with a love of basketball and being a part of a team.

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Death of Doherty High student Harris Wolobah tied to One Chip Challenge