Australia’s Ally Langdon recently sat down with Andrea and Paul Haynes, a grieving mother and father forced to make the most heartbreaking decision of their lives. After giving birth to their daughter Esra Haynes 13 years earlier, they now faced the unimaginable—choosing to turn off her life support machine. Esra, once a bright and vibrant young girl with a promising future, tragically lost her life after becoming a victim of a dangerous social media trend known as chroming. As Langdon, a mother herself, listened to their story on A Current Affair, she fought back tears, overwhelmed by the raw pain and devastation the family had endured.
Esra Haynes was an energetic teenager, known in her community for her determination and athleticism. She co-captained her team at Montrose Football Netball Club and raced BMX bikes alongside her brothers. Esra even led her aerobics team to a national championship in Queensland. She was described by those who knew her as fun, cheeky, and talented. But her bright life was cut short on March 31, when she attended a sleepover at a friend’s house. What was supposed to be a typical night hanging out with friends ended in tragedy. During the sleepover, Esra inhaled aerosol deodorant as part of a viral challenge aimed at getting a quick high. Moments later, she went into cardiac arrest, causing irreparable brain damage.
Andrea told Langdon that Esra had left home that evening in good spirits, excited for a normal night with her friends. Paul recalled how they had always known where she was and who she was with, adding that there was nothing unusual about that night—until they received a devastating phone call. They were told to come immediately, something no parent ever wants to hear. Esra’s friends initially thought she was having a panic attack, but her body was actually shutting down. She had suffered cardiac arrest, and none of the kids knew how to respond or administer CPR.
When Andrea arrived at her daughter’s side, paramedics were desperately trying to revive Esra. That was the moment Andrea first heard the word “chroming”—a practice that was completely unknown to her until that night. Esra was rushed to the hospital, where doctors tried everything to save her. Despite her strong heart and lungs, the brain damage she had suffered was irreversible. For eight long days, Andrea and Paul clung to the hope that Esra might somehow recover. But their worst fears were confirmed when they were told that her brain had been damaged beyond repair. Faced with no other option, they made the agonizing decision to turn off Esra’s life support.
Paul described the devastating moment when they gathered family and friends at the hospital to say their final goodbyes. Esra was placed on a bed so they could hold her as she passed. Andrea and Paul stayed by her side, cuddling her until the very end. Langdon, deeply moved by their story and as a mother of two young children herself, could not hold back her tears during the interview.
After Esra’s death in early April, Paul said their family was completely broken. Her siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—were shattered by the loss of their sister. Paul explained that they had barely slept or eaten since the tragedy, and they found it hard to smile. Their grief extended beyond the family, deeply affecting their friends and the entire community. Paul and Andrea, who had never even heard of chroming before it killed their daughter, are now on a mission to educate other families about its deadly risks.
Speaking to a local news outlet, Paul expressed his regret that he had not known about chroming earlier. He believes that if he and Andrea had been informed, they could have warned Esra about the dangers and had an open conversation at home. Now, he urges other parents to talk with their children and educate them before they hear about these trends from friends or on social media. He emphasizes the need for early, honest discussions so kids can make informed decisions.
The trend of chroming, which has been around since at least 2009, involves inhaling toxic substances commonly found in household products like deodorant, paint, hairspray, and permanent markers. It’s a method some teens use to experience a short-term high, but it can have deadly consequences. Chroming can lead to seizures, heart attacks, suffocation, sudden sniffing death syndrome, coma, and even complete organ failure. Paul and Andrea have made it their mission to warn as many parents and children as possible, hoping to prevent other families from enduring the same devastating loss.
Paul described the lasting trauma he and Andrea carry, saying they will never be able to erase the images of their daughter’s final days. “Our gut was ripped out,” he told Langdon. The Haynes family’s grief is unimaginable, and their courage in sharing their story is nothing short of inspiring. As they continue to navigate their loss, they are committed to raising awareness and educating families about the dangers of chroming.
Our hearts go out to the Haynes family and everyone who loved Esra. We hope their story will help save lives and prevent other parents from experiencing such an unimaginable tragedy. Please share their story to spread awareness about this deadly trend and encourage open conversations between parents and their children. Together, we can make a difference.
