Coroner Issues Urgent Warning After Boy's Aerosol Tragedy
An 11-year-old boy accidentally killed himself while attempting to get high by sniffing a Ted Baker body spray aerosol in his bedroom late at night, an inquest has heard. Freddie Davis had concealed the spray can in his dressing gown when his cold body was discovered in bed the following morning by his mother, who went to wake him for school.
Dangerous TikTok Trend Blamed for Fatal Incident
The Year 7 pupil died as a result of inhaling butane aerosol propellant, prompting coroner Nadia Persaud to issue a stark warning to parents about the dangerous trend known as 'Chroming'. This social media phenomenon sees people inhale common household substances including nail varnish, paint, and spray cans to achieve a temporary high.
Freddie's mother, Roseanne Thompson, revealed she had previously heard of children her son's age being inspired to try sniffing aerosols by videos on TikTok. She had even taken preventative measures by stopping purchases of spray-on deodorants to protect him. 'Aerosols do kill,' Ms. Thompson emphasized while releasing pictures of her son to highlight the dangers to other parents.
Tragic Discovery and Family's Heartbreak
The inquest at East London Coroners' Court in Walthamstow heard that Freddie was described as an 'outgoing boy who loved sport and learning', enjoyed school, and was both popular and respectful. His parents, both sets of grandparents, and family friends attended the emotional proceedings.
On the weekend preceding his death in January last year, Freddie had stayed at a friend's house in Brentwood, Essex. His mother's written statement detailed how she had offered to help him arrange lights in his bedroom that evening, provided he tidied it first. At approximately 9:20 PM, Freddie came downstairs complaining he couldn't sleep.
After returning upstairs, the rest of the family retired to bed, though Freddie visited his mother's room twice requesting a phone charger. She offered to charge his phone overnight, and Freddie asked to be awakened by 6:30 AM for school at Drapers Academy in Harold Hill.
Morning Discovery and Emergency Response
Ms. Thompson stated she finally fell asleep, heard nothing during the night, and woke around 6:20 AM on Monday, January 20, 2025. 'I went into his room to wake him up,' her statement read. '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.'
After receiving no response, Ms. Thompson placed her 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.''
Freddie was turned over so CPR could be attempted, but Ms. Thompson acknowledged: 'I knew he had passed away.' When police constable Neil Price attended the scene in Harold Hill, east London, he noted an unusual smell emanating from the room. As Freddie was rolled over, the Ted Baker spray can fell from his dressing gown.
Investigation Reveals No Prior Warning Signs
London Ambulance Service confirmed the child had died, so no CPR was administered. A thorough search of the house revealed nothing amiss, and while no one knows where Freddie obtained the can, Ms. Thompson believes a friend must have introduced him to the dangerous trend. Four vapes were also discovered in Freddie's bedroom.
A police report compiled by two senior officers confirmed that computers and phones taken from the scene contained no relevant information. 'There was no evidence of any discussion around the inhalation of solvents or discussion with others about the use of such things,' the report stated.
The report continued: '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.'
School Response and Family's Preventive Measures
Police spoke with Freddie's friends and school officials, finding no indications of bullying or trends relating to aerosol inhalation. The school held follow-up assemblies requesting anyone with information to come forward, but no relevant details about the death emerged.
Ms. Thompson, 34, revealed that approximately one year before Freddie's death, she had learned about the TikTok trend called 'Chroming' and had specifically warned her son never to participate. Chroming videos remain available on TikTok, showcasing people inhaling various household substances.
In her statement to the court, Ms. Thompson explained she had initially purchased Lynx spray for Freddie but noticed once that an entire bottle disappeared within 24 hours. After this incident and hearing about the sniffing trend, she switched to buying roll-on deodorant instead.
Medical Evidence and Coroner's Conclusions
Forensic toxicologist John Slaughter confirmed that propane, butane, and isobutane were found in Freddie's tissue samples, consistent with the contents of the aerosol can. He explained that spraying aerosol into airways is highly toxic and can induce coma, while the sudden coldness can stimulate the vagus nerve, causing dangerous heart arrhythmias.
Pathologist Dr. Liina Palm determined the cause of death as inhalation of butane aerosol propellant. At the inquest's conclusion, coroner Nadia Persaud emphasized that parents need greater awareness about aerosol misuse possibilities among children.
'I do not know whether parents are aware of the danger of these aerosols but I think there needs to be more publicity,' Ms. Persaud stated. She confirmed she would write to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to make them aware of this tragic case.
Broader Context and Safety Warnings
Friends and family raised over £1,700 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity through a GoFundMe campaign describing Freddie as 'full of life and laughter.' Ms. Thompson, separated from Freddie's father Ashlie Davis, 37, reiterated her warning: 'Aerosols do kill. 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,' she added.
Freddie's death follows dozens of similar tragedies in the UK involving both intentional inhalation and accidental overexposure to sprays. Between 2001 and 2020, England and Wales registered 716 deaths related to volatile substances, averaging 36 fatalities annually, with an overwhelming majority (77.9%) occurring among males.
Fuels were the most common volatile substances mentioned on death certificates, involved in 59.5% of cases, with butane and propane—both commonly found in aerosols—specified in 447 deaths.
Ashley Martin, public health adviser at RoSPA, previously cautioned: 'It's easy to assume they are completely safe and totally free from risk. The truth is they're not. Inhaling large quantities of aerosols, not just deodorants, can lead to a whole host of life-endangering scenarios—from blackouts and breathing difficulties, to heart rhythm changes and sadly, death.'
'There's a common misconception that fatalities from aerosols only happen in a substance abuse scenario, but this is absolutely not true. We have seen a number of fatalities over recent years where children and young adults have over-sprayed aerosols—from teenagers conscious of body odour, to children seeking reassurance from familiar smells,' Martin added.
The coroner officially recorded Freddie's death as accidental.
