• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Man arrested after schoolboy, 11, dies after allegedly taking part in 'chroming' challenge

Home> News> Crime

Updated 11:40 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 11:30 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Man arrested after schoolboy, 11, dies after allegedly taking part in 'chroming' challenge

Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington suffered a suspected cardiac arrest on Saturday

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

A man has been arrested after an 11-year-old schoolboy died while allegedly taking part in 'chroming' challenge, police have said.

Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington suffered a suspected cardiac arrest back in March after reportedly taking part in the online challenge known as 'chroming'.

'Chroming' sees people sniffing toxic chemicals - including paint, aerosols and cleaning products - in order to achieve a short-term 'high'.

Tommie-Lee's grandmother Tina Burns said at the time of his death that her grandson had allegedly attempted the dangerous stunt while staying at a friend's house, and was later found unresponsive by paramedics at the property.

North West Ambulance Service called local police to the scene shortly after 12.00pm on Saturday, with the 11-year-old quickly being rushed to hospital before being pronounced dead.

Advert

"The boys had tried the TikTok craze 'chroming'," Tina said. "Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then.

"The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone."

TikTok has denied any affiliation with the trend.

And this week, Lancashire Police confirmed they'd questioned the man for alleged child cruelty and neglect, the BBC reports.

Advert

Tommie-Lee died earlier this year after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)
Tommie-Lee died earlier this year after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)

The 25-year-old had also been arrested for suspicion of possession with intent to supply a drug and money laundering.

He has since been released on bail while their enquiries are ongoing, it has been reported.

A 35-year-old woman was also interviewed voluntarily as part of authorities' initial investigations, after she was deemed suspicious of having possessed with intent to supply dangerous substances.

Advert

She has also been released under investigation.

Tina had previously urged social media bosses to 'do more' in order to protect young users from potentially-fatal trends.

Tommie was found unresponsive at the property (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)
Tommie was found unresponsive at the property (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)

"Both our families are utterly devastated but we all want the same thing. We don't want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media," she said.

Advert

His mother Sherri also emphasised the risk that these toxic chemicals can have if they fall into the wrong hands, warning parents to 'hide all deodorants from their children' so they can't take part in the so-called challenge.

"This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing. They are using this and breathing them in to try get a buzz." she wrote on Facebook.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in Tommie-Lee's honour, with the funds accumulated being used to support his family.

Tyla has previously contacted TikTok for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns

Topics: TikTok, Social Media, News, UK News, Health, Crime

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

X

@rhiannaBjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Trump ignites conspiracy theory after people question bizarre detail in photo

    One social media user claimed he could be 'trying to appear imposing and dominant' during meetings

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Donald Trump ignites theory on why he wore large bandage on his ear after attempted assassination

    A year ago today, shots were fired at the US President at an election rally in Pennsylvania

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Teen accused of killing mother and stepdad posted disturbing TikTok videos 'mourning' their deaths

    The teenager posted TikTok videos appearing to 'mourn' their deaths, just days after killing them

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    North Korea announces launch of beach resort for unexpected reason and guests are expected to arrive very soon

    Kim Jong-un wants people to come see his huge, new resort. What could go wrong?

    News
  • Dangerous ‘chroming’ trend explained as boy nearly dies after challenge goes wrong
  • One-year-old dies after being left in hot car for two hours while mother allegedly got lip filler
  • Labubu fuels dark conspiracy theory after people spot eerie detail in the dolls
  • 24-year-old vape addict issues terrifying warning after suffering heart attack