11-year-old boy tragically dies after doing 'chroming' social media trend
Warning: This article contains discussion of substance abuse, which some readers may find distressing.
There's further tragedy as another young loss of life is again being blamed on an online trend. There have been deaths linked to the likes of the Blackout Challenge, Hot Chip Challenge, and Benadryl Challenge, and now, 11-year-old Freddie Davis has lost his life after being tied to the deadly challenge of 'chroming'.
Also known as 'huffing', 'sniffing', or 'bagging', chroming has risen in popularity on social media platforms, typically involving people trying to get high by inhaling aerosols or abusing other substances like solvents, glues, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and even gasoline.
As reported by the Daily Mail, an inquest into Freddie's death confirmed he'd died after inhaling butane aerosol propellant from a can of Ted Baker deodorant hidden in his dressing gown.
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Roseanne Thompson shared the story of her son's death with the outlet, saying she'd heard of people Freddie's age being inspired by online videos and that sheād even stopped buying spray-on deodorants in hopes of protecting him.
She issued a heartbreaking three-word warning, simply saying: "Aerosols do kill."
Attending an inquest at East London Coroners' Court, Freddie's parents heard how he was an "outgoing boy who loved sport and learning," as well as being popular and respectful. In January 2025, Freddie had been playing at a friend's house but was said to have become 'stroppy' when he was told he needed to be back in time for dinner.
After being unable to sleep at 9:20 pm, he later asked his mom to charge his phone overnight as long as she could wake him at 6:30 am because he had school the next day.
Entering Freddie's bedroom the next day, Roseanne explained she couldn't wake him. In a statement, Thompson said: "I went into his room to wake him up I opened the door and called out 'Fred' as I do most mornings.
"I could see he was lying on his front with his face down. I called Fred again. Usually by now he would have responded.
"I began to analyse his position and was thinking 'Why is he like that?' I put my hand on his shoulder and noticed he was colder than usual.
"I called out for help and said, 'I think Fred has gone'. I dialled 999 and said to the operator: 'I think my son is dead'."
Although CPR was administered, Thompson says she 'knew' her son was dead.
The Metropolitan Police's PC Neil Price attended the scene and added: "There was a smell emanating from the room, but I couldn't distinguish what it was at the time."
After rolling Freddie over, it's said that Ted Baker can fell from his dressing gown.
A search of the home revealed nothing was amiss, while two senior officers compiled a report saying nothing was found on a computer and phone seized from the premises: "There was no evidence of any discussion around the inhalation of solvents or discussion with others about the use of such things."
Still, Thompson is adamant that a friend introduced Freddie to the chroming trend.
The report concluded: "Mum was noticeably shocked by the deodorant.
"They had started to buy Freddie Lynx and in 24 hours it would be empty.
"There was a trend whereby children empty cans of deodorant into socks and use it to get a high.
"He was told of the risks and they began buying him roll-on deodorant."
Officers spoke to Freddie's friends and other students at the school, but there was nothing to indicate any bullying or other trends relating to chroming.
In the aftermath of the family setting up a JustGiving page in honor of Freddie, Roseanne Thompson ended with a PSA to other parents: "Children are easily led and they do not realise the dangers.
"I wouldn't even risk bringing aerosols anywhere near my family now, I won't even have them in the house.
"These things do kill people."
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