A Southern California family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 13-year-old Nnamdi “Deuce” Ohaeri Jr., who they believe died after participating in a dangerous social media challenge.
The tragedy, which occurred on February 2, has left his parents grappling with unanswered questions and calling for greater awareness about the risks of viral internet challenges that have claimed the lives of other young children.
A Promising Young Life Cut Short
Deuce, the eldest of four siblings, was described as a bright, humorous, and athletic young boy with a passion for music and football. He came from a military family in Murrieta, California, and was known for his quick wit and infectious sense of humor.
“He had a good sense of humor and a great wit about him,” his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., told KTLA.
On the evening before his death, Deuce had spent a normal Sunday with his family, watching the Grammy Awards and cheering on Kendrick Lamar, whom he admired.
“He was excited that Kendrick Lamar was sweeping all the categories,” his father recalled.
But the next morning, tragedy struck. Deuce was found unresponsive in his bedroom. His mother immediately began performing CPR, while his father called 911 and rushed to a neighbor’s house for help. Despite their efforts, paramedics were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead.
Social Media Challenge Suspected in His Death
At first, the sudden loss seemed inexplicable, as Deuce had always been excited about the future and showed no signs of distress.
However, as his family searched for answers, they learned that Deuce may have attempted a dangerous online challenge in which children try to make themselves pass out.
“I heard something about a young person trying to make themselves pass out, and I guess they came back from it,” Ohaeri Sr. said.
Deuce’s parents believe he may have learned about the challenge from classmates, as he did not have social media accounts, and his phone had strict parental controls.
The case bears striking similarities to the Blackout Challenge, a viral trend that has been widely criticized for encouraging children to hold their breath until they lose consciousness due to lack of oxygen. The challenge has been linked to multiple child deaths, leading to lawsuits against TikTok by grieving families.
A Heartbroken Father’s Warning to Other Parents
Now, Deuce’s parents are left devastated, questioning whether there was anything they could have done differently to prevent this tragedy.
“I’m going through the Rolodex of guilt now, like, ‘Did we check in more? Should I have not been as firm four years ago?’” Ohaeri Sr. said.
Hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak, the Ohaeris are speaking out about their son’s death to raise awareness.
“I’ve always been mindful of influences and talked about, ‘Don’t do drugs and make good decisions,’” Ohaeri Sr. said. “But we don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games, and maybe we need to.”
Calls for Greater Online Safety Measures
Deuce’s case is part of a growing concern about the dangers of social media challenges, especially for young children who may not fully understand the risks.
In recent years, social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have been criticized for failing to prevent harmful trends from spreading. The Blackout Challenge, in particular, has led to multiple deaths worldwide, prompting lawsuits and demands for stricter content moderation policies.
Community Support and a Celebration of Life
Despite their immense grief, Deuce’s family has found comfort in the overwhelming support from their community. A funeral and celebration of life were recently held in his honor, with friends and loved ones coming together to remember the bright and promising young boy taken too soon.
As they continue to mourn, the Ohaeri family remains committed to spreading awareness about the hidden dangers of viral internet challenges—hoping that no other family will have to endure the same painful loss.
