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Helium Death: College Athlete's Tragic End Linked to TikTok Trend
14 Dec, 2025
Summary
- College athlete died from asphyxia due to helium inhalation.
- Her death was ruled a suicide following a TikTok trend.
- The trend involved asking ChatGPT for brutally honest self-assessment.
Rice University sophomore Claire Tracy, 19, has died from asphyxia due to helium inhalation, with officials ruling her death a suicide. The incident occurred after Tracy participated in a disturbing TikTok trend known as the "devil trend," which involved prompting ChatGPT for brutally honest self-assessments.
Tracy, a finance student and former Division 1 soccer player, had previously expressed struggles with her mental health on social media. The trend has gained notoriety as OpenAI faces lawsuits over allegations that its chatbot may encourage self-harm and provide instructions on how to do so.
Friends mourn Tracy, a Wisconsin native recognized for her academic achievements and athletic contributions. Rice University provides 24/7 mental health counseling services for its students, offering support for those in need.
