Tragic Death of 11-Year-Old Boy from Deodorant Inhalation at Sleepover
An 11-year-old boy from Lancaster has tragically lost his life after inhaling fumes from a deodorant can during a sleepover, as revealed in a recent inquest. Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington was found unresponsive at a friend's house on March 1, 2024, with a can of Lynx deodorant discovered nearby.
Details of the Incident and Inquest Findings
The inquest at Preston Coroners Court on February 27, 2026, disclosed that Tommie-Lee had spent the night at his friend's home, where the pair played computer games before going to sleep. The following day, he was discovered lifeless by his friend's mother. Coroner Emma Mather confirmed the cause of death as inhalational asphyxiation and cardiac arrest due to inhalation of butane and other volatile substances.
During the hearing, the father of Tommie-Lee's friend admitted to previously catching the boys inhaling fumes from deodorant cans, an activity often referred to as 'chroming' online. The friend described it as inducing a high and something they did 'for a laugh'. The friend also confessed that he learned this trend from an older boy at a local skatepark, leading to reports to the school and police.
Parental Awareness and Social Media Investigation
Friends of the boys informed police that they were seen inhaling substances on a Snapchat group call that evening. According to a police statement, Tommie-Lee had inhaled an entire can of Lynx deodorant that morning before taking a nap. He was found unresponsive in a bunk bed at midday and later pronounced dead at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
DCI Dylan Hrynkwo, the senior officer on duty, revealed that officers found a Lynx can in the bed and several others scattered around the room. Concerns about 'chroming' prompted a scrutiny of social media and the boys' phones, but only videos warning against the practice were found. DCI Hrynkwo suggested social media did not incite the boys, though he noted the internet's evolving nature might have removed harmful content earlier.
Family Memories and Coroner's Conclusions
Family members shared heartfelt memories of Tommie-Lee during the inquest. His father, Graham, expressed, 'I will never forget him, he was such a lovely boy.' His grandmother, Tina Burns, added, 'He was just a beautiful boy, he was our little whirlwind, there was no stopping him. He was just full of life, full of energy.'
Coroner Emma Mather ruled the death a misadventure, stating Tommie-Lee was too young to understand the dangers. She said, 'Tommy Lee was a beautiful little boy. He had his whole life ahead of him. Both boys were playing video games and were observed by friends on a Snapchat call to be using aerosols. It is likely they were spraying aerosols through a towel and taking a deep breath to experience the effects.'
She added that if the parents had been aware, they would have intervened. The coroner found it likely the boys were introduced to this by an older boy at the park and noted a missed opportunity to inform Tommie-Lee's parents, Sherri Ann Gracie and Graham Billington, who refuted claims they were told about the prior incidents.
