In March 2023, 13-year-old Esra Haynes was attending a sleepover in Melbourne, Australia, when tragedy struck.
Speaking to A Current Affair, her parents, Andrea and Paul, shared: “It was just a normal night — she was simply going to spend time with her friends. We always knew where she was and who she was with. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.”
On the night of the sleepover, Esra’s parent would receive a phone call telling them to pick up their daughter.
The teen was rushed to hospital in an unresponsive state and placed on life support. She would spend a week and a half fighting for her life.
Initially, Esra’s parents were optimistic she would recover until devastatingly, doctors said ‘her brain was damaged beyond repair.’
The family would make the heartbreaking decision to turn off the 13-year-old’s life support.
In the parents’ interview with Ally Langdon on A Current Affair, Paul said: “They’re asking us to bring a family, friends to say goodbye to our 13-year-old daughter.
“It was a very, very difficult thing to do to such a young soul.”
Esra’s parents and siblings ‘cuddled her until the end.’
Esra’s family is now speaking out to warn others about the dangers of chroming.
“This is going to be our mission,” Paul told the Herald Sun. “You can lead a horse to water, but anyone can still be pulled away. This isn’t something Esra would have chosen to do on her own.”
Imogen shared with 7News: “We’re determined to raise awareness among kids and anyone else who might try it. We don’t want another family to experience this pain — it’s absolutely devastating.”
Esra’s brother, Seth, added: “I just want people to understand how quickly this can happen. We can’t afford to lose any more incredible people.”
Would you like a second version that’s even a bit sharper or more emotional?
Haynes’ cause of death has been confirmed as chroming — a dangerous trend that involves inhaling toxic chemicals.
Chroming, also known as solvent abuse, occurs when someone inhales substances like glue or solvents to get high, according to Care In Mind.
While people of all ages can engage in chroming, it is most commonly seen among teenagers and young adults.
The immediate effects of chroming can include drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, feeling unusually relaxed or anxious, loss of coordination, reduced inhibitions, ringing in the ears, slurred speech, coughing or sneezing, glazed, red, or watery eyes, and a runny or bleeding nose.
