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14-year-old boy dies after injecting butterfly mixture in online challenge trend

Feb 13, 2025South America2 sources

Summary

A 14-year-old boy in South America died after injecting himself with a mixture made from a dead butterfly as part of an online challenge. The boy, identified as Davi Nunes Moreira, mixed the butterfly with water and used a syringe to inject the concoction into his leg. He began experiencing severe symptoms, including vomiting and an inability to walk, and was hospitalized for a week before passing away. Doctors suggested he may have suffered from an embolism or an allergic reaction, but the exact cause of death remains unclear pending an autopsy. The challenge, which originated on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, was initially unrelated to injecting butterflies, though authorities noted a possible connection to the trend.

Incident Details

Domain
Self-Harm & Suicide

Content or interactions that contribute to self-harm, suicidal ideation, or eating disorders.

Harm Types
Self-Harm

Non-suicidal self-injury facilitated or encouraged through online interactions.

Mechanism
conduct
Severity
FatalityMinor involved
Recipient
IndividualDavi Nunes Moreira, a 14-year-old boy
Dimensions
physicalpsychological