No Criminal Charges for Death from “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” Contest

Sacramento County prosecutors will not press charges against radio station KDND-FM for its “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” contest in which Jennifer Strange died from water intoxication after drinking over two gallons of water without urinating over four hours.

Jennifer Strange, 28, willingly participated in the contest by Sacramento radio station KDND-FM and showed no visible symptoms to suggest that she was seriously ill or in danger of dying, Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully said in a statement.

“She knew what the contest involved when she entered it and had the option to stop or discontinue her participation in the contest at any time,” said Scully, outlining how prosecutors contemplated — and ultimately decided against — filing charges of involuntary manslaughter.

“There were no observable indications or symptoms that Jennifer Strange was experiencing a serious medical emergency which would have required station employees to seek or administer medical aid to her,” Scully said.

While I’m not very sympathetic towards people who manage to off themselves in ways that places them in the running for an Darwin award, I’m definitely on the side of the Strange Family in their civil lawsuit against KDND-FM for continuing the contest despite receiving warnings about fatal water intoxication from callers.