What began as a fun Friday night sleepover in Lancaster, UK, ended in unimaginable tragedy for 11-year-old Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington.

The lively boy suddenly became unresponsive, and doctors later confirmed his death was linked to “chroming,”

a dangerous online trend that encourages inhaling substances for a quick high.

His mother, Sherri-Ann Gracie, described him as “the life and soul of our home” and is now devoted to warning

other families. “Kids think they’re invincible,” she said. “They don’t realize how quickly something like this can take everything away.”

Tommie-Lee’s family has turned grief into advocacy, urging parents to talk openly with their children about online

challenges and peer pressure. His grandmother, Tina Burns, echoed the plea, reminding everyone that seemingly harmless trends can be deadly.

The Lancaster community has united around the family, and local authorities are promoting digital safety education.

Through their courage, Tommie-Lee’s loved ones hope to prevent more lives from being lost — proving that

awareness and conversation are the most powerful tools to protect children in a world where viral trends spread faster than ever.