Tragic Death of Teen from “Chroming” Sparks Urgent Call for Awareness
In a heartbreaking interview on A Current Affair, Ally Langdon sat down with Andrea and Paul Haynes, who shared their devastating story of losing their 13-year-old daughter, Esra, to a dangerous social media trend known as “chroming.”
The teen died after inhaling toxic chemicals, a trend that has become increasingly popular among young people in Australia.
Esra, a talented and energetic young girl, was described by her community as determined, fun, and always up for a challenge. She was an athlete who co-captained her local football and netball teams, raced BMX bikes with her brothers, and even led her team to a national aerobics championship in Queensland.
However, her life tragically ended on March 31, 2025, after she went to a sleepover at a friend’s house.
At the sleepover, Esra took part in “chroming,” inhaling the fumes from an aerosol deodorant can in an attempt to get high. This led to her falling into cardiac arrest, which caused irreversible brain damage. Her parents, Andrea and Paul, spoke of the shock they felt when they received the call in the middle of the night, with Paul recalling the overwhelming pain of having to leave their daughter in the hospital knowing she wouldn’t survive.
Despite efforts to revive her, Esra remained on life support for eight days, and her brain damage was deemed beyond repair. In a gut-wrenching decision, Andrea and Paul had to make the unimaginable choice to turn off her life support, marking the end of their daughter’s short life. “It was a very, very difficult thing to do to such a young soul,” said Paul, as the family and friends gathered for their final goodbyes.
Both Andrea and Paul, whose grief is palpable, have turned their focus to raising awareness about chroming. They were unaware of this dangerous trend until their daughter’s death, and now, they are determined to educate other parents and children about the risks of this deadly activity. Chroming involves inhaling toxic chemicals from household products like deodorants, hairsprays, and even permanent markers in an attempt to experience a short-term high. It can cause seizures, suffocation, heart attacks, coma, and even sudden death.
“We need to ramp it up and let these kids find out the information first-hand,” said Paul. “If we were educated and the word had been put out there, we would have had the discussion around our kitchen table for sure.”
In the wake of Esra’s death, the Haynes family is on a mission to prevent other families from suffering the same fate. They are calling on parents to have conversations with their children about the dangers of chroming and to educate themselves about what’s happening in their children’s lives, especially in a world where social media and peer pressure play such significant roles in shaping behaviors.
Chroming has been responsible for the deaths of multiple young people in Australia and around the world since it first emerged in 2009. Despite its deadly nature, it continues to be a trendy method for teens to seek out a quick high, unaware of the severe consequences. Paul and Andrea Haynes hope that by sharing their story, others will take the dangers of chroming seriously, and families will be better prepared to protect their children from this deadly craze.
Esra’s parents are left with the haunting images of the night they lost their daughter, their hearts forever shattered. “We’ve got the pictures in our mind which will never be erased,” Paul said. “Our gut was ripped out.”
We cannot begin to comprehend the pain that comes with losing a child, especially under such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts are with the Haynes family, and we hope their story helps to educate others about this dangerous trend. Please share this message and help spread awareness to protect young lives.
Conclusion: The heartbreaking death of Esra Haynes is a stark reminder of how quickly trends like chroming can turn deadly. As the Haynes family advocates for awareness and education, it is crucial for parents to engage in conversations with their children about the dangers of inhalant abuse and the risks of viral social media trends. The memory of Esra’s bright spirit should inspire action and prevent further tragedy.