Friends gather to remember teen who died playing 'choking game'

A teenager, who died playing the "choking game," was remembered Sunday in Cary.

Kris Marceno's friends came together for a Pajama Party at Contrast Creative Studio, 2598 Highstone Road, to share their memories through song and photos.

Marceno, a sophomore at Enloe High School, died Nov. 2 playing the "choking game" in which someone asphyxiates himself or herself or chokes a friend to the point of passing out. The oxygen-deprivation is believed to produce a euphoric high.

“I just want everyone to be aware that this is really dangerous and no one else should have to die because of this. And Kris would be proud of his parents for speaking out against this,” said Sarah Huck, Marceno’s friend.

Marceno, 15, had tied an electrical cord around his neck, with the other end tied to a bunk bed, his mother said.

The Marcenos said they never suspected their son of trying to play such a dangerous game, but they said his friends have since told them they even try to choke each other at school.

The Marcenos are speaking publicly about their son's death in hopes of warning other parents about the dangerous game.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 82 youths nationwide have died since 1995 while playing the choking game. Most of the victims were teenage boys.