MURRIETA, Calif. — A Southern California family is mourning the loss of their 13-year-old son, Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., who they believe died after participating in a dangerous social media challenge similar to past trends that have claimed multiple young lives.
The teenager was found unresponsive in his bedroom on the morning of February 3, just a day after spending time with his family watching the Grammy Awards.
His mother immediately performed CPR while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., rushed to a neighbor for help and called emergency services. Despite their desperate efforts, the boy was pronounced dead.
While early indications suggested the possibility of suicide, his parents were unconvinced. They began their own inquiry and soon discovered that their son may have been influenced by a hazardous social media challenge circulating among his peers.
The challenge, reportedly similar to the infamous “Blackout Challenge,” dares participants to temporarily cut off oxygen to the brain, leading to a brief loss of consciousness.
The so-called challenge has been linked to several child fatalities in recent years, prompting widespread warnings from health professionals, parents, and authorities.
However, Ohaeri Jr. did not have social media accounts, and his phone was equipped with strict parental controls. His parents now suspect he may have learned about the challenge through classmates or friends rather than online.
The grieving family is now speaking out, hoping their son’s tragic death will serve as a wake-up call for other parents. They are urging families to remain vigilant about the content and trends their children might encounter, whether through social media or peer influence.
“We don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” Ohaeri Sr. said. “And maybe we need to.”
His reflection comes with deep regret, acknowledging that while he had warned his sons about the dangers of drugs and other risky behaviors, he had not considered the potential threat posed by viral challenges.
The family is left grappling with grief, guilt, and unanswered questions. “I’m going through the Rolodex of guilt now, wondering if we checked in enough or if I should have been less strict years ago,” Ohaeri Sr. shared.
The Ohaeris’ heartbreaking experience underscores growing concerns about the influence of online trends on young people, even those without direct access to social media.
Experts warn that seemingly harmless challenges can have fatal consequences and emphasize the importance of open communication between parents and children.
Tragically, Ohaeri Jr.’s death is part of a larger pattern. The “Blackout Challenge” and similar trends have been responsible for multiple fatalities worldwide, prompting lawsuits against major social media platforms and calls for stricter monitoring of dangerous content.
For the Ohaeri family, the pain of losing their son is immeasurable. But through their loss, they hope to raise awareness and prevent another family from experiencing a similar tragedy. “If this can happen to us, it can happen to anyone,” Ohaeri Sr. said.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death, but his parents are clear in their message: no family should assume their child is immune from the dangers of peer pressure and viral trends.
