Heartfelt tributes are flooding in for an 11-year-old boy whose life was cut short after participating in a dangerous chroming trend. The loss of young Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington has left his family devastated. They’re now calling for parents everywhere to educate their kids about the severe risks involved in following certain social media crazes.
His grieving grandma, Tina Burns, shared the devastating details of how Tommie-Lee tragically passed away instantly after trying this concerning trend. “Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest right away, and despite all efforts at the hospital, nothing could bring him back. He was lost to us,” Tina remarked, painting a poignant picture of the profound sorrow his family now endures.
Remembering her grandson, Burns described him as having a ‘heart of gold,’ a bright spark full of energy and spirit. In a statement to the Lancashire Post, she pressed parents to rethink letting their children engage with platforms like TikTok. “Our goal is to make people aware, even advocating to remove TikTok so no child under 16 has access to social media at all,” she said.
Tommie-Lee’s heartbroken mother also implores parents to consider the implications of their children’s online activities. On Facebook, she shared her perspective, saying, “I struggle to discuss this, yet need to highlight what kids are attempting these days. It cost my son’s life, trying to emulate others and engage in risky behaviors. Please talk to your children about these dangers. It baffles me why anyone would even attempt such hazardous acts!”
The family, in their grief, aims to spare others from experiencing such tragedy, with an outpouring of gratitude from fellow parents for their efforts to raise awareness.
Tommie-Lee was found motionless at a friend’s home in Lancaster on March 2. Lancashire Police reported they arrived at the scene to find the boy unresponsive, and tragically, he was later declared deceased.
Handling this as an unexplained death, the authorities notified the coroner, with ongoing investigations to uncover any relevant facts. Police stated they extend their heartfelt condolences to the boy’s family during this sorrowful period and requested those with information to come forward.
The ongoing inquest at Preston Coroners Court into Tommie-Lee’s untimely passing shed light on the fact that police are considering inhaling substances as one possible cause. However, no suspicious activities were identified.
Following the incident, two individuals faced police questioning. A 25-year-old Lancaster man was queried on allegations involving child abuse, neglect, drug possession with intent to supply, and money laundering but was temporarily freed on bail. Similarly, a 35-year-old woman faced queries related to possession with intent to supply, though she remains under investigation as authorities continue their inquiry.
The family strongly suspects Tommie-Lee’s involvement in a perilous TikTok trend known as chroming—which involves inhaling volatile substances or solvents recreationally—was a contributing factor to his death, as outlined by The Royal Children’s Hospital.
A funeral fundraiser in Tommie-Lee’s name exceeded expectations, surpassing the original £3,000 goal and amassing over £4,800. Surplus funds will help erect a memorial headstone or support the school where he once studied.
In honor of Tommie-Lee, his family hopes to prevent similar tragedies by alerting others to the hidden dangers lurking within online trends.
