The teenager first began showing signs of illness when he started to limp and vomit. At the time, he reassured his father that he had only hurt himself while playing. However, as his condition quickly worsened, his father made a startling discovery — a syringe hidden under the boy’s pillow. When confronted at the hospital, Davi finally admitted what had happened.
According to reports, the young teen had taken the remains of a dead butterfly, crushed them into powder, mixed the substance with water, and injected the liquid directly into his right leg. This disturbing act is believed to have been linked to an online challenge, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Although several Brazilian media outlets have speculated that Davi may have been imitating an internet “experiment,” accounts indicate that before his passing, the boy denied taking inspiration from such content. The exact motivations behind his actions remain unclear.
An ongoing investigation
Despite immediate medical attention and specialized care, Davi’s condition grew steadily worse. Doctors did everything possible to stabilize him, but his body could not recover from the severe damage. After enduring a painful seven-day struggle, the 14-year-old tragically passed away in February at a hospital in Planalto, Brazil.
Luiz Fernando D. Relvas, a medical specialist who treated him, explained to VivaBem that several factors could have contributed to his decline. “It could have been an embolism, an infection, or an allergic reaction,” he said.
“We don’t know exactly how he prepared this mixture or the size of the fragments he managed to inject into his body,” Relvas added, underscoring the unpredictable and devastating consequences of the act.
“There may have been air left inside, which could have led to an embolism,” Dr. Relvas added, noting that such a condition can cause sudden deterioration and even death.
Authorities are also investigating whether toxins from the butterfly itself may have contributed to the boy’s decline, potentially causing organ failure and septic shock — complications that ultimately claimed his life.
Professor Marcelo Duarte, director of the Zoology Museum at São Paulo University and a butterfly specialist, told the Daily Mail: “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.” His statement underscores just how little is known about the potential dangers of injecting substances derived from insects.
Another incident
Civil Police in Vitória da Conquista, who are leading the investigation, confirmed that an autopsy will be crucial in determining the exact cause of death.
This is not the first time Brazil has witnessed tragedy tied to reckless online challenges. In April of last year, a Brazilian influencer known as “Thammy MC” nearly lost her toes after attempting a viral stunt for her two million followers. The young woman stood with her feet submerged in a bucket filled with ice and salt — a so-called “dare” that left her unable to walk, turned her feet black, and brought her dangerously close to amputation.