Teenager who ate spicy chips died from heavy chili consumption and suffered heart defect, autopsy finds

BOSTON — A Massachusetts teenager who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media died after eating a large amount of chili pepper extract and also suffered from a congenital heart defect, according to an autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press.

Harris Wolobah, a 10th grader from the city of Worcester, died on September 1, 2023 after eating the chip made by Paqui. The cause of death was identified as cardiopulmonary arrest “in the context of recent ingestion of a food substance with a high concentration of capsaicin,” according to the autopsy from the medical examiner’s office.

Paqui, removed the product from store shelves shortly after Harris’ death. The Associated Press sent an email Thursday seeking comment to Hershey Co., which owns Paqui.

The cause of death was determined on Feb. 27 and the death certificate was delivered to the city clerk’s office on March 5, according to Elaine Driscoll, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

The Paqui chip, sold individually for about $10, was wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box containing the warning that it was intended for the “vengeful pleasure of intense heat and pain.” The warning stated that the chip was for adult consumption only and should be kept out of the reach of children.

Despite the warning, the children had no problem buying the chips. There have been reports across the country that teenagers have become ill after participating in the potato chip eating challenge, including three California high school students who were sent to the hospital. Paramedics were called to a Minnesota school in 2022 when seven students became ill after participating in the challenge.