A pancake-eating competition at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut turned tragic for 20-year-old Caitlin Nelson and her family. Despite being organized by a sorority to raise funds for Prevent Child Abuse America, the event took a devastating turn. Caitlin, a social work student, consumed several pancakes during the contest on March 30, 2017, but suddenly started shaking uncontrollably and collapsed.
Emergency services found her unresponsive and not breathing, leading to her eventual passing at Columbia Medical Center three days later. The Fairfield Police Chief stated that prolonged lack of oxygen caused irreparable harm, resulting in an unsurvivable situation. While Caitlin had known food allergies, a coroner determined that choking was the cause of her death.
A lawsuit filed by Caitlin’s mother revealed that despite safety concerns raised due to the thickness of the pancakes, the university had approved the contest. This tragedy compounded the family’s grief as Caitlin’s father, James, had previously lost his life during the 9/11 attacks while aiding individuals in the World Trade Center collapse. Caitlin, who was only five at the time of her father’s death, was described as a compassionate individual who dedicated her time to mentoring children affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Following Caitlin’s passing, a memorial vigil was held on campus, drawing thousands who were touched by her kindness and contributions. Her mother eventually dropped the wrongful death lawsuit against the university after a settlement was reached in 2020. The family and the university have chosen not to comment further on the matter.