A family in Southern California is mourning the tragic loss of 13-year-old Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., who they believe died after attempting a dangerous social media challenge—one of several viral trends that have previously claimed young lives.
The teenager was found unresponsive in his bedroom in Murrieta on the morning of February 3, just a day after watching the Grammy Awards with his family.
His mother immediately administered CPR while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., sought help from a neighbor and called emergency services. Despite their efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead.
Family Suspects Social Media Challenge Involvement
Although initial indications suggested a possible suicide, his parents were unconvinced and launched their own investigation.
They soon uncovered signs that their son may have been influenced by a hazardous social media challenge that encourages participants to briefly lose consciousness. The trend, reminiscent of the notorious Blackout Challenge, has been linked to several fatalities in recent years, sparking alarm among parents and safety advocates.
Despite not having personal social media accounts and using a phone with strict parental controls, Ohaeri Jr. may have learned about the challenge from classmates or friends, his parents believe.
A Heartfelt Warning to Parents
Now, the grieving family hopes to use their son’s story to warn other parents about the hidden dangers of social media trends. They urge families to remain vigilant about the content their children may be exposed to—whether online or through peer influence.
Ohaeri Sr. reflected on the painful loss, admitting that while he had educated his sons about the dangers of drugs, he had never considered the risks posed by viral social media challenges.
“We don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” he said. “And maybe we need to.”
As they navigate their grief and search for answers, the family hopes their devastating experience will encourage open discussions between parents and children about online safety and peer pressure.
Authorities have yet to confirm an official cause of death, and it remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a suicide or an accident. The Murrieta Police Department has not provided further details on the case.
