Davi Nunes Moreira was rushed to a hospital in Planalto, a city in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, after experiencing severe symptoms. He had trouble walking, felt nauseous, and eventually began vomiting.
When his father noticed him limping and asked what had happened, the teenager initially claimed he had injured himself while playing. However, as his condition got worse, the truth came out.
According to reports, he had mixed the remains of a dead butterfly with water and injected the liquid into his right leg. Investigators with the Civil Police later found a syringe hidden under a pillow in his bedroom, confirming what he had said.
Due to the severity of his condition, doctors transferred him to the General Hospital of Vitória da Conquista, one of the largest cities in the state. Unfortunately, despite medical intervention, Davi passed away on February 12. His funeral was held just two days later.
One investigator cited by Metrópoles mentioned the possibility that the boy had been following a dangerous trend circulating online. However, before his passing, Davi himself denied that he was participating in any challenge.
Despite his denial, he did not offer an alternative explanation for why he had carried out the bizarre act.
A Civil Police spokesperson stated: “The autopsy results will help clarify the cause of death. The investigation is designed to clear up what happened.”
Experts have suggested that the toxins present in certain butterfly species may have contributed to his sudden illness. Professor Marcelo Duarte, an entomologist and director of São Paulo University’s Zoology Museum, explained: “Butterflies have a complex biology, and the fluids present in their bodies have not been studied in depth in terms of their toxicity to humans.”
One user commented: “Some of the things you see online are madness and spine-chilling,”
