Man Ate Gecko As Party Dare, Died After Being 'Rotted From Inside'

An Australian man, who died after eating a gecko on a dare, had "rotted from inside" and became gravely ill, his family recently said. David Dowell was reportedly challenged to eat the small lizard at a Christmas party last year.

David was in “absolute agony" following the stunt that made the 34- year-old complain of stomach problems the day after the party.

“It was a dare but I don’t know if it was a serious one, I was paying attention but not really because it was a Christmas party and the kids were invited,” Allira Bricknell, the 34-year-old’s longtime partner, told 7News.com.au, adding that they were still searching for answers as to what happened to the father-of-three.

“We don’t know 100 percent how he passed but on the actual death certificate, it did say ingestion of a gecko, so I’m assuming it was that,” she said.

His sister, Hannah Dowell, told the Syndey Morning Herald that a day after he arrived at the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with salmonella, a common and curable infection from contaminated food or water. The family initially suspected it was related to chicken, but his symptoms had rapidly progressed to include vomiting, massive abdominal swelling, and fluid in his lungs.

David's family reportedly told News.com.au that doctors said he “basically rotted from the inside out.” The family said they are making his story public so people can "look out for the signs and realize how bad salmonella can be."

Reptiles can be a cause of human salmonella despite appearing healthy and clean. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reptiles must not be kept around children younger than 5, or those with weakened immune systems and older adults.

“Don’t kiss or snuggle with reptiles and amphibians because this can increase your risk of getting sick,” the CDC said. “Persons who think they might have become ill from contact with reptiles should talk to a health care provider.”