The loss of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and for Paul and Andrea Haynes, that nightmare became a reality when their 13-year-old daughter, Esra, tragically lost her life after participating in a dangerous trend known as “chroming.” Now, the grieving parents are sharing their story to warn others about the devastating consequences of this risky behavior.
Chroming involves inhaling chemicals from aerosol cans, such as deodorant, to achieve a quick high. Esra was at a friend’s sleepover in March 2023 when she tried it. Shortly after, she suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Esra sustained irreversible brain damage. After eight agonizing days, her parents made the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support.
Paul and Andrea are now advocating for change, urging manufacturers to reconsider the formulations of aerosol products and calling for stricter monitoring of social media platforms, where trends like chroming often gain traction. They believe their daughter was influenced by online content and want to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
“Kids don’t look beyond the next day,” Paul said. “They don’t understand the consequences. If Esra had known the risks, she never would have done it.”
The Haynes family hopes their story will spark conversations about the dangers of chroming and encourage parents to talk openly with their children. “We’ve got no child to bring home,” Andrea said. “Her name meant ‘helper,’ and that’s what we’re here to do—help others.”
Their message is clear: awareness and education are crucial to preventing further tragedies.
