A Nigerian family in Southern California is grieving the loss of their 13-year-old son, Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., who was found unresponsive in their Murrieta home on February 3, 2025. The teenager’s parents suspect he may have died after attempting a dangerous social media challenge.
Nnamdi Jr. had spent the previous evening watching the Grammy Awards with his family before the tragic incident occurred. His mother performed CPR while his father called emergency services, but the young boy could not be revived. Initial indications pointed to suicide, but his parents began their own investigation and suspect their son may have been influenced by a hazardous online trend.
The alleged challenge, similar to the infamous “Blackout Challenge,” encourages participants to intentionally restrict oxygen to induce unconsciousness. This trend has been linked to multiple fatalities worldwide, raising serious concerns among parents and authorities.
Although Nnamdi Jr. did not have social media accounts and had strict parental controls on his phone, his parents fear he may have learned about the challenge through friends or classmates.
Now, the grieving family is urging other parents to stay vigilant about the online content their children encounter. Nnamdi Sr. expressed his regret, admitting he hadn’t fully considered the dangers of social media trends. “We don’t talk about not following social media trends… maybe we need to,” he said.
The family hopes their story will spark open discussions about the risks of viral internet challenges. Meanwhile, the Murrieta Police Department continues to investigate the exact cause of Nnamdi Jr.’s death, though it remains unclear whether it was a suicide or an accidental consequence of the challenge.
