Sometimes the most devastating tragedies arrive quietly, in the middle of what seems like an ordinary night.
For one Australian family, a routine sleepover turned into a life-altering emergency—forcing parents to confront a reality no one should ever face.
Ally Langdon of A Current Affair spoke with Andrea and Paul Haynes, whose 13-year-old daughter, Esra, passed away after inhaling aerosol chemicals—a dangerous practice known as chroming, popularized in some social media circles. The family’s grief was raw as they recounted the events that led to her death.
Esra was far more than a teenager caught up in a fad. She co-captained the Montrose Football Netball Club, raced BMX bikes alongside her siblings, and helped her aerobics team win a national competition in Queensland. Friends remembered her as determined, lively, cheeky, and talented.
On the night of March 31, Esra attended a sleepover. During the evening, she inhaled an aerosol deodorant can, causing irreversible brain damage and cardiac arrest. Andrea recalled, “It was just a normal night, like any other with her friends.” Paul added, “We always knew where she was and who she was with.” Their world collapsed when they received the call no parent ever wants to hear: “Come get your daughter.”
Friends initially mistook her symptoms for a panic attack. Paramedics rushed to help, and it was only then that Andrea learned chroming was involved. Though her heart and lungs functioned, the brain damage was irreversible. After eight days on life support, Andrea and Paul made the heart-wrenching decision to remove her.
The family described the depth of their loss. Esra’s siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—were “shattered,” and the parents struggled to eat, sleep, or smile. Paul said, “It was devastating for all of us, including her friends and the community.”
Now, Andrea and Paul speak out to prevent similar tragedies. They urge parents to have honest, direct conversations about the dangers of chroming, which can involve everyday household items such as deodorant, paint, hairspray, or markers. Though the immediate high may seem tempting, the risks are extreme: seizures, heart failure, coma, and death.
Conclusion
The Haynes family’s story is a sobering reminder of hidden dangers facing children today. Their loss underscores the importance of awareness, vigilance, and open communication. By sharing their experience, Andrea and Paul hope to save lives and prevent other families from enduring the heartbreak they cannot undo.