A 13-year-old girl has lost her life after taking part in a dangerous trend known as chroming, and her devastated parents are now urging families to understand the risks. Esra Haynes was at a simple sleepover with friends in Melbourne when everything changed. Her parents, Andrea and Paul, believed she was safe and enjoying a normal night with people they trusted.

But hours later, they received a frightening call to pick her up. Esra was rushed to the hospital unresponsive and placed on life support. For a week and a half, her family held on to hope. Then doctors delivered the news every parent fears: Esra’s brain had been damaged beyond repair. With unimaginable pain, her family gathered to say goodbye and held her close until the very end.

Esra’s parents describe the moment as “a very difficult thing to do to such a young soul.” Now, they are determined to warn other families about chroming and how quickly it can turn deadly. They believe Esra never would have tried it on her own and want to prevent another tragedy.

Her siblings share the same mission. They say no family should face what they did and urge young people to understand that chroming can cause lifelong damage or death within minutes.

Chroming, sometimes called solvent abuse, involves inhaling toxic chemicals to get high. The practice is most common among teens and can cause dizziness, confusion, vomiting, loss of coordination, and sudden brain injury.

Esra’s family hopes her story will save lives.