Devastated by the premature death of their 13-year-old daughter from inhaling chemicals from a deodorant can, grieving parents are determined to make her life have a lasting impact.
On March 31, 2023, during a sleepover, Esra Haynes, an eighth-grader at Lilydale High School in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, tragically suffered cardiac arrest and irreversible brain damage due to her involvement in a disturbing trend known as “chroming.”
In an interview, Esra’s parents, Paul and Andrea, recounted the moments leading up to the discovery of their daughter’s fatal mistake. Andrea said that it was common for Esra to spend time with her friends, while Paul underscored their awareness of her whereabouts and her companions. Yet, they received an unthinkable phone call that would forever change their lives.
Paramedics later told Andrea that Esra had been engaged in the hazardous activity of “chroming,” a practice of inhaling chemicals from aerosol cans to get a brief high, notably popular among teenagers. Esra was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state and put on life support.
Eight days later, doctors notified the teenager’s parents that Esra’s brain damage was irreversible, leading to the agonizing decision to take her off life support.
As Esra’s life came to an end, her parents and older siblings, Imogen, Seth, and Charlie, stayed by her side, offering comfort. Tragically, Esra became the latest in a series of Australian teenagers who have lost their lives to “chroming.” In 2019, a 16-year-old boy from New South Wales died after inhaling from an aerosol can. In 2021, a girl of the same age from Queensland suffered brain damage due to chroming, and in 2022, another 16-year-old boy from the same state lost his life after sniffing deodorant.
The Victorian Education Department has stepped up its efforts to inform students about the dangers of chroming. Medical professionals have also expressed concerns about its risks.
Esra’s parents feel that broader actions and systemic changes are essential to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.