By Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
A 14-year-old Brazilian boy has died after injecting himself with a mixture of water and crushed butterfly remains, raising concerns about the potential influence of dangerous social media challenges.
Davi Nunes Moreira reportedly suffered for a week in excruciating pain before passing away in a hospital in Vitoria da Conquista. Authorities are now investigating whether his death was linked to an online trend.
According to reports, Davi mixed a dead butterfly with water and injected the substance into his leg. Soon after, he began experiencing severe pain, vomiting, and difficulty walking. His condition worsened rapidly, and he was taken to the hospital, where doctors fought to save his life. Despite medical efforts, he remained in critical condition for seven days before succumbing to complications.
Doctors suspect that his death may have been caused by an allergic reaction, a severe infection, or an embolism—when a blood vessel is blocked by air or particles, leading to sudden death. Dr. Luiz Fernando D. Relvas, a specialist at Hospital Santa Marcelina, explained that injecting foreign substances into the body can lead to fatal consequences. He noted that air trapped in the injection could have caused an embolism, while bacteria or toxins from the butterfly remains may have triggered a severe infection leading to septic shock, a condition in which the body’s organs begin to shut down.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Davi’s actions were influenced by a dangerous online trend. In recent years, several social media challenges have encouraged risky behaviour, sometimes with fatal consequences. The Civil Police in Vitoria da Conquista are awaiting full autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death. A police spokesperson stated that the results will help clarify what happened.
Davi’s shocking death has sparked concern among parents and health officials about the dangers of social media influence. While it is still unclear whether he was following an online challenge, authorities are urging young people to be cautious about risky internet trends. His family and friends are now mourning his tragic loss as investigations continue.
