Australia’s Ally Langdon was visibly emotional as she shared the heartbreaking story of a young family forced to make the devastating decision to end their daughter’s life after a tragic incident linked to a dangerous viral trend. Andrea and Paul Haynes, parents of 13-year-old Esra Haynes, bravely opened up on A Current Affair about the unimaginable pain they endured following the loss of their beloved daughter.

Esra’s death was the tragic result of “chroming,” a hazardous activity involving inhaling toxic chemicals from everyday household products such as deodorant sprays, paint, hairspray, or permanent markers to achieve a brief euphoric high. This dangerous behavior, often glamorized or spread through social media, has been responsible for numerous cases of serious injury and death, especially among vulnerable teenagers.

Described by her local community and teammates as “determined, fun, cheeky, and talented,” Esra was an active young athlete. She co-captained the Montrose Football Netball Club and competed in BMX racing alongside her brothers. Her dedication and leadership helped her team secure a national aerobics championship in Queensland. She was a vibrant, spirited girl full of promise and joy.

On the evening of March 31, what was supposed to be a typical sleepover at a friend’s house turned into a nightmare. Esra, like many teens caught up in the viral trend, inhaled aerosol deodorant in an attempt to experience the high. The act quickly turned fatal as Esra went into cardiac arrest, causing severe brain damage that would prove irreversible.

Andrea recounted the normalcy of the night leading up to the tragedy: “It was just the regular routine of going to hang out with her mates.” Paul added, “We always knew where she was and who she was with. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary… To get that phone call late at night was the kind of call no parent ever wants to receive. Unfortunately, we got it — the call telling us to come and get our daughter.”

Esra’s friends initially believed she was suffering from a panic attack, but the reality was far grimmer. After inhaling the toxic chemicals, her body began shutting down, and she entered cardiac arrest. Shockingly, none of the other teens at the sleepover knew how to respond to this medical emergency. When Andrea arrived at the scene, paramedics were desperately trying to revive Esra. It was then that Andrea first learned about chroming, a term she had never heard before. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Esra’s condition was grave.

Esra was rushed to the hospital, where her parents clung to hope, believing that her strong heart and lungs might help her survive the ordeal. Tragically, after eight agonizing days on life support, doctors informed Paul and Andrea that their daughter’s brain damage was beyond repair. The couple was faced with the unimaginable decision to turn off the machine keeping Esra alive.

Struggling with their words and emotions, the parents described the unbearable pain of ending their daughter’s life. They were asked to gather family and friends for a final farewell. Paul shared the deeply personal moment, “It was a very, very difficult thing to do to such a young soul. We laid her on a bed so we could hold her, and we cuddled her until the very end.”

Langdon, a mother herself, was visibly moved by the raw grief and courage of the Haynes family, tears welling in her eyes as she listened.

Following Esra’s passing in early April, the family remains shattered. Her siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—are devastated by the loss of their sister. Paul expressed the widespread impact of the tragedy: “It was really devastating for everyone involved, including all her friends. It’s been the most difficult, traumatic time any parent could face. We haven’t been sleeping, eating, or smiling—we’re not ourselves. But it’s not just us; the whole community has felt the pain.”

The Haynes family had never heard of chroming before their daughter’s death. Now, they are determined to raise awareness about the dangers of this deadly trend. Paul described chroming as a growing problem among teens, who are drawn to its immediate but dangerous effects. The substances used—common household items like deodorant or paint—are easily accessible, making the risk all the more concerning.

In interviews, Paul shared his regret about not knowing earlier: “If we had been educated about chroming, we would have had the important conversations with Esra around our kitchen table. We need to ramp up awareness so that kids hear the facts firsthand, not just through friends or social media. They need the right advice from the beginning.”

His mission now is to educate other parents and communities, encouraging open and gentle conversations about this lethal trend to hopefully save more lives. “Parents need to sit down and talk with their children,” Paul emphasized. “We certainly didn’t know what was going on until it was too late.”

Chroming has been linked to numerous deaths in Australia and worldwide since 2009. The practice can cause seizures, heart attacks, suffocation, sudden sniffing death syndrome, coma, and multi-organ failure. Despite the risks, its popularity persists among young people seeking a quick high.

Paul’s words to Langdon were haunting: “We have images in our minds that will never be erased. Our gut was completely ripped out by what we saw and experienced.” The pain and trauma of making the decision to take their young daughter off life support is almost unimaginable. Our hearts go out to the Haynes family and everyone who loved Esra.

By sharing this story, we hope to raise awareness and encourage parents, educators, and communities to educate young people on the extreme dangers of chroming and other similar viral trends. Together, we can help protect children and prevent such heartbreaking tragedies in the future.