bloodrayne
04-27-2005, 12:13 PM
Death Causes Worry About 'Choking Game'
Police urge parents to talk about dangers
Nampa, Idaho — Police are investigating whether a 13-year-old girl's death last week could be linked to a voluntary choking game other teens are playing, and they advise parents to talk to their children about the dangers.
"We're looking at this as a public safety issue, and we want parents to speak with their kids," Lt. Craig Kingsbury said. "This can cause brain damage or death."
Police said the East Valley Middle School student's April 15 death originally appeared to be a suicide by hanging, but investigators now believe it may have resulted from a game in which students choke each other or themselves until they pass out to achieve a high.
The girl's death and rumors about the asphyxiation game have "devastated" many parents in the Nampa School District, said Angela Reed, mother of two teenagers in Nampa schools.
Police who interviewed students at East Valley Middle School say they learned the girl who died was acquainted with others who have been playing the game to get high, Kingsbury said.
"A lot more teenagers may be involved than we initially thought," he said.
Boise and Caldwell police representatives said they have not had any cases involving the choking game, and Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney said his department hasn't investigated or heard of any teen choking games or related accidents in the county.
But in other parts of the nation — Ohio, Illinois and Iowa — several middle-school students have reportedly died or suffered permanent brain damage from playing the asphyxiation game during the past few years. A similar death was reported in England in 1999.
Kingsbury said Nampa police had not received reports of the asphyxiation game until after a family member found a 13-year-old girl hanging by a belt in her closet on April 15. She was dead.
A note in her room to or from a friend mentioned a "passing out game" in which the circulation of blood, air or both are cut off by various means until the person passes out, Kingsbury said.
He said police have found no sign of foul play in the death. And they have found no indication, such as a note or history of depression, that the girl had attempted suicide. Her friends told police she had never talked to them about suicide.
"We're trying to find some answers for the family," Kingsbury said. "The investigation may prove to be difficult to solve. We'll probably never be able to determine whether the cause of death was accidental or suicide."
Nampa school officials said they have been told the "passing out game" is being played by students from several middle schools, usually in the presence of at least one other person. Investigators do not believe anyone was with the girl when she died.
"This is not an isolated issue," Assistant Superintendent Jay Hummel said. "Parents need to be concerned."
Nampa school employees said they believe students are playing the game in places such as their homes.
Police are working with school officials to determine how many kids are taking part and to spread the word that the game is potentially deadly.
Most parents' initial response is to believe their children wouldn't try something so dangerous, but they should still talk to their kids and keep the lines of communication open, Reed and police said.
Reed said she spoke to her son as soon as she heard about the girl's death, but her daughter is away at band camp.
"As soon as she gets back, I'm definitely going to have a talk about it," she said.
Police urge parents to talk about dangers
Nampa, Idaho — Police are investigating whether a 13-year-old girl's death last week could be linked to a voluntary choking game other teens are playing, and they advise parents to talk to their children about the dangers.
"We're looking at this as a public safety issue, and we want parents to speak with their kids," Lt. Craig Kingsbury said. "This can cause brain damage or death."
Police said the East Valley Middle School student's April 15 death originally appeared to be a suicide by hanging, but investigators now believe it may have resulted from a game in which students choke each other or themselves until they pass out to achieve a high.
The girl's death and rumors about the asphyxiation game have "devastated" many parents in the Nampa School District, said Angela Reed, mother of two teenagers in Nampa schools.
Police who interviewed students at East Valley Middle School say they learned the girl who died was acquainted with others who have been playing the game to get high, Kingsbury said.
"A lot more teenagers may be involved than we initially thought," he said.
Boise and Caldwell police representatives said they have not had any cases involving the choking game, and Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney said his department hasn't investigated or heard of any teen choking games or related accidents in the county.
But in other parts of the nation — Ohio, Illinois and Iowa — several middle-school students have reportedly died or suffered permanent brain damage from playing the asphyxiation game during the past few years. A similar death was reported in England in 1999.
Kingsbury said Nampa police had not received reports of the asphyxiation game until after a family member found a 13-year-old girl hanging by a belt in her closet on April 15. She was dead.
A note in her room to or from a friend mentioned a "passing out game" in which the circulation of blood, air or both are cut off by various means until the person passes out, Kingsbury said.
He said police have found no sign of foul play in the death. And they have found no indication, such as a note or history of depression, that the girl had attempted suicide. Her friends told police she had never talked to them about suicide.
"We're trying to find some answers for the family," Kingsbury said. "The investigation may prove to be difficult to solve. We'll probably never be able to determine whether the cause of death was accidental or suicide."
Nampa school officials said they have been told the "passing out game" is being played by students from several middle schools, usually in the presence of at least one other person. Investigators do not believe anyone was with the girl when she died.
"This is not an isolated issue," Assistant Superintendent Jay Hummel said. "Parents need to be concerned."
Nampa school employees said they believe students are playing the game in places such as their homes.
Police are working with school officials to determine how many kids are taking part and to spread the word that the game is potentially deadly.
Most parents' initial response is to believe their children wouldn't try something so dangerous, but they should still talk to their kids and keep the lines of communication open, Reed and police said.
Reed said she spoke to her son as soon as she heard about the girl's death, but her daughter is away at band camp.
"As soon as she gets back, I'm definitely going to have a talk about it," she said.