What was meant to be a fun and ordinary sleepover turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
Andrea and Paul Haynes, a loving couple from Don Valley, Australia, were forced to make the most heart-wrenching decision imaginable: removing their 13-year-old daughter, Esra, from life support—just days after she fell victim to a deadly social media trend known as “chroming.”
The couple bravely shared their story with A Current Affair host Ally Langdon, who visibly struggled to contain her own emotions during the interview. As a mother herself, Langdon’s heartbreak mirrored what so many parents across the country felt after hearing the Haynes family’s unimaginable loss.
A Vibrant Life Cut Short
Esra Haynes wasn’t just any teenager. She was full of life—described as “determined, fun, cheeky, and talented” by the Montrose Football Netball Club, where she co-captained her team. She raced BMX bikes with her brothers and had recently led her school’s aerobics team to a national championship in Queensland.
But on March 31, 2023, Esra went to a friend’s house for a sleepover and made a decision that would change her family’s lives forever. Seeking a brief high, she inhaled aerosol deodorant—part of a dangerous trend called chroming—and went into sudden cardiac arrest.
A Call No Parent Should Ever Receive
“It was just the regular routine of going to hang out with her mates,” Andrea recalled. “We always knew where she was, and who she was with. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.”
But later that night, the Haynes family received a call that no parent ever wants to answer. Esra had collapsed. At first, her friends thought she was having a panic attack. In reality, her body was shutting down. She was in cardiac arrest—and no one at the sleepover recognized the signs or knew what to do.
When Andrea arrived, paramedics were frantically working to revive her daughter. That’s when she heard the word “chroming” for the first time.
Eight Days of Hope—and Heartbreak
Esra was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support. Her heart and lungs were strong. Her family clung to hope.
But after eight agonizing days, doctors delivered the devastating news: Esra’s brain had suffered irreversible damage. There was no chance of recovery.
Andrea and Paul were asked to bring in family and friends to say their final goodbyes.
“She was put onto a bed so we could lay with her,” Paul said softly. “We cuddled her until the end.”
A Family Shattered, A Mission Begins
The pain of losing Esra still cuts deep. Her siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—are devastated. Her parents admit they barely sleep, barely eat. “We’re not ourselves,” Paul said. “Our gut was ripped out.”
But through the grief, the Haynes family has found purpose. Having never heard of chroming until it killed their daughter, they are now determined to raise awareness and protect other families from enduring the same horror.
“We need to ramp it up and let these kids find out the information firsthand,” Paul said. “Not through friends. Not through social media. Then they’re given the right advice off the bat.”
What is Chroming?
Chroming is the inhalation of toxic substances—often everyday household products like deodorants, hairsprays, or paint—through the nose or mouth to achieve a short-term high. But the consequences can be catastrophic.
It can lead to seizures, heart failure, suffocation, coma, and even sudden death. And it’s claiming the lives of children—just like Esra—all over the world.
A Conversation Every Parent Must Have
“If we had known about chroming, if the word had been out there, we would have talked to Esra about it,” Paul said. “We would have had that conversation around the kitchen table.”
Now, he’s urging parents everywhere to have that conversation. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if it’s difficult.
“Just open that conversation up gently,” he advises. “We certainly didn’t know what was going on.”
A Legacy of Love and Prevention
The Haynes family has turned their pain into a mission: to educate, to advocate, and to save lives.
Their message is simple but urgent: Awareness can save a child’s life.
“We have the pictures in our mind that will never be erased,” Paul said through tears. “Of what we were confronted with.”
No parent should ever have to experience what the Haynes family has endured. But through their courage in sharing Esra’s story, they are offering other families the chance to stay whole.
Rest in peace, Esra.
Your light lives on through every parent who now knows your name—and every life your story may save.
Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
