Australia’s Ally Langdon was visibly emotional as she recounted the heartrending story of a family forced to make the unimaginable decision to end their daughter’s life following a tragic incident linked to a hazardous viral challenge. Andrea and Paul Haynes, parents of 13-year-old Esra Haynes, bravely shared their story on A Current Affair, opening up about the immense pain of losing their vibrant young daughter.
Esra’s death was caused by “chroming,” a dangerous activity where teens inhale chemicals from everyday household products—like deodorant sprays, hairspray, paint, or markers—to experience a fleeting euphoric high. Despite being glamorized on social media, this practice has led to serious injuries and deaths worldwide, especially among vulnerable teenagers.
Described by her friends and community as “determined, fun, cheeky, and talented,” Esra was a spirited athlete. She co-captained the Montrose Football Netball Club, competed in BMX racing alongside her brothers, and helped her team win a national aerobics championship in Queensland. She was a bright, full-of-life girl with a promising future.
On March 31, a normal sleepover turned into a nightmare. In a misguided attempt to join the viral trend, Esra inhaled aerosol deodorant. Within moments, she suffered cardiac arrest, causing severe and irreversible brain damage.
Andrea described the night as ordinary until tragedy struck: “It was just the regular routine of hanging out with her friends.” Paul added, “We always knew where she was and who she was with. Then came that phone call no parent ever wants.”
Her friends initially thought she was having a panic attack, but the reality was far worse. Paramedics arrived to find Esra unresponsive. Andrea, learning about chroming for the first time, watched helplessly as medical teams fought to save her life.
Rushed to the hospital, the Haynes family clung to hope. After eight agonizing days on life support, doctors confirmed that her brain damage was irreversible. Andrea and Paul faced the heartbreaking decision to turn off the machines keeping their daughter alive. They gathered family and friends for a final farewell, holding and comforting Esra until her last moments.
Langdon, a mother herself, was moved to tears witnessing the courage and grief of the Haynes family.
Following Esra’s passing, the family remains shattered. Her siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—grieve deeply. Paul shared, “It was devastating for everyone involved. We haven’t been sleeping, eating, or smiling. The whole community feels the loss.”
Before Esra’s death, the family had never heard of chroming. Now, they are determined to raise awareness of the lethal risks. Paul urges parents to educate children early about dangerous trends and to have honest conversations at home, rather than letting social media dictate their actions.
Chroming has claimed lives in Australia and worldwide, causing seizures, heart failure, suffocation, coma, and multi-organ damage. Despite the risks, teens continue to be drawn to the temporary high.
Paul reflected on the trauma: “We have images in our minds that will never be erased. Our gut was completely ripped out by what we saw and experienced.”
By sharing Esra’s story, the family hopes to prevent similar tragedies, encouraging parents, educators, and communities to educate children about the dangers of viral challenges. Together, awareness can protect young lives from heartbreak like the Haynes family endured.
