As a result of their daughter’s death from chroming, the parents, who are heartbroken, have issued an urgent warning.
It has been stated by her parents that the image of their daughter after the occurrence will be with them for the rest of their lives.
Two Australian parents are calling for major changes after the heartbreaking loss of their 13-year-old daughter, Esra Haynes, who tragically died while engaging in a dangerous trend. In 2023, Esra attended a sleepover at a friend’s house and became involved in a risky activity known as “chroming.”
Since the tragic loss of their daughter, Esra Haynes, her parents, Paul and Andrea, have been using social media to advocate for significant changes they believe could have saved her life. Esra, just 13 years old, participated in the dangerous trend known as “chroming,” which involves inhaling chemicals from a deodorant can to experience a short, intense high.
While attending a sleepover at a friend’s house, Esra suffered a cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital, where her parents were informed that she had suffered irreversible brain damage.
The incident, which occurred in March of 2023, has driven her parents to speak out. In a powerful interview with A Current Affair, they called for action from both the deodorant industry and social media platforms. Paul Haynes expressed his frustration, saying, “For me, it’s a pistol sitting on the shelf,” urging manufacturers to take responsibility and make essential changes to the formulation or propellants in deodorants to prevent misuse.
Moreover, Paul stressed the importance of tighter regulation on social media, as he believes that Esra was exposed to this dangerous trend through online content. Above all, the Haynes family wants to raise awareness about the serious dangers of chroming and encourage families and children to have open discussions about its risks.
In Paul’s heartfelt words, he said, “Kids don’t look beyond the next day; in all honesty, they don’t.” He explained that they often don’t realize the potentially devastating consequences of their actions. “If Esra had known the repercussions, she would never have done what she did.”
His wife, Andrea, shared the immense pain they felt, saying, “The repercussions of this are absolutely devastating.”
“We’ve got no child to bring home, nothing,” Paul said, his voice heavy with grief. “We need to talk about it.”
In honoring their daughter, Paul added, “Her name meant ‘helper,’ and that’s what we’re here to do now.”
Reflecting on the moment they learned of their daughter’s dire condition, Andrea recalled, “It was just the regular routine of going to hang out with her mates.” Paul continued, “We always knew where she was and who she was spending time with.”
“It was just a normal day, nothing seemed unusual. But receiving that phone call late at night—it was every parent’s worst nightmare, one we never imagined we’d have to face. But, unfortunately, we did: ‘Come and get your daughter.’”
The images of that night, Paul shared, would forever haunt them: “We’ve got the pictures in our minds which will never be erased, of what we were confronted with.”
When they arrived, paramedics were desperately working to save Esra’s life. They learned that their daughter had been involved in the dangerous trend of inhaling chemicals from aerosol deodorant cans to get high—a practice unfortunately common among teenagers who may not fully grasp the severe and immediate dangers.
Esra was found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital, where she was placed on life support. After eight agonizing days, the Haynes were confronted with the heartbreaking reality and had to make the excruciating decision to turn off the machines when doctors confirmed that her brain had suffered irreversible damage.
Paul’s voice quivered as he continued, “They’re requesting that we bring our family and friends to say our final goodbyes to our daughter, who is just 13 years old.” The gravity of the moment hit him as he reflected, “When it comes to dealing with a young soul, it’s a very, very tough thing to do.”
Esra’s older siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—were deeply affected by the loss. They “cuddled her until the end,” showing the immense love and bond within the family, even in the face of such heartbreak.
Sadly, Esra’s tragedy is not an isolated incident. In 2019, a 16-year-old boy in New South Wales lost his life after inhaling aerosols, and in 2021, a young girl from Queensland suffered severe brain damage as a result of chroming.
As this dangerous trend continues to spread, some stores have even been forced to lock up deodorant cans due to theft concerns and the fear of their misuse. In response, schools and local education departments, alongside medical experts, are making an effort to raise awareness and educate students about the life-threatening risks of chroming.
