• 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
Family issue tragic warning as teen dies after copying 'dusting' trend she’d seen online

Home> News

Published 09:35 1 Aug 2025 GMT+1

Family issue tragic warning as teen dies after copying 'dusting' trend she’d seen online

She was rushed to intensive care but sadly didn't make it

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

The parents of a teenager who died from 'dusting' have issued vital advice to other mums and dads regarding the deadly social media trend.

In June of this year, 19-year-old Arizona teen Renna O'Rourke was rushed to a nearby intensive care unit, having suffered what appeared to be a cardiac arrest after taking part in the risky 'game'.

The Tempe local remained under the care of doctors for a week after being ruled as brain dead, before tragically passing away.

It was later determined that O'Rouke had taken part in a controversial online trend known as 'dusting'.

Advert

The dangerous practice - known by the term 'chroming' in the UK and other parts of the world - sees youngsters inhaling aerosols whilst filming themselves, with plans to post footage of their 'highs' on social media.

Renna O'Rourke (NBC/O’Rourke Family)
Renna O'Rourke (NBC/O’Rourke Family)

The trend is understood to give part-takers a temporary feeling of euphoria - but, as well as triggering issues surrounding the heart, 'dusting' has also been linked to brain, liver and lung damage - even after being used just once.

The online challenge is most commonly linked to the inhalation of aerosols, including spray deodorant, paint thinner. In O'Rourke's case, however, the teenager had inhaled large amounts of keyboard cleaner in the minutes prior to her heart attack.

Advert

According to her parents, Aaron and Dana O'Rourke - who spoke to press following their daughter's devastating death - she and her boyfriend had purchased the chemicals online, and had them delivered by DoorDash.

Now, her mother is using her heartbreaking experience as a means of raising awareness of the potentially-fatal social media trend, in a bid to prevent other parents from going through the same hell.

Her family are bravely speaking out about what happened to her (NBC/O’Rourke Family)
Her family are bravely speaking out about what happened to her (NBC/O’Rourke Family)

"There's no ID required [to purchase aerosols]. It's odorless," Dana told 12News recently. "It's everything kids look for. They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn't show in mom and dad's drug test."

Advert

The bereft mum continued: "We want to make sure that we use our tragedy so that no other parent has to experience looking at their child on life support and a ventilator and not breathing on her own all because she huffed out of a can."

Paying tribute to his little girl, O'Rourke's father Aaron also told AZFamily that the teen had long dreamed of being famous.

"She always said, 'I'm gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I'm gonna be famous'," he explained. "And unfortunately this is not under the most optimal of circumstances."

O'Rourke's family are hoping to raise awareness of the potentially-fatal social media trend (NBC/O’Rourke Family)
O'Rourke's family are hoping to raise awareness of the potentially-fatal social media trend (NBC/O’Rourke Family)

Advert

Following her passing, Renna’s organs were donated to at least six other people, her mum added.

"Through that we're finding strength and purpose,” Dana said.

"She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else's child from being where ours is right now.

"She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else's child from being where ours is right now."

Featured Image Credit: NBC/O’Rourke Family

Topics: US News, Health

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:

Just now
7 mins ago
2 hours ago
  • Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images
    Just now

    Medical expert reveals what happened inside Charlie Kirk’s body the moment he was shot in the neck

    An anatomy expert has broken down the science behind what happened when Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck

    News
  • Eduard Kryzhanivskyi/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
    7 mins ago

    Prince Harry’s other surname explained after royal fans spot unexpected detail in Meghan Markle post

    The Duke of Sussex celebrated his 41st birthday earlier this week on Monday (15 September)

    News
  • Aaron Chown - Pool / Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Queen Camilla reveals why she will not be attending the Duchess of Kent's funeral

    Following the sad announcement of the Duchess of Kent's death, Buckingham Palace has confirmed Queen Camilla won't attend her Requiem Mass

    News
  • Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    FBI director under fire after making major error about Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

    The Conservative activist was shot dead by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson last Wednesday in Utah

    News
  • Teenager dies after taking part in dangerous ‘dusting’ social media challenge
  • Heartbroken family issues ‘chroming’ trend warning after boy dies surrounded by cans
  • Justin Bieber sparks major concern after 'worrying' behaviour at Coachella party as fans issue plea
  • Teenager dies after taking part in dangerous ‘dusting’ social media challenge