A heartbroken mother has shared a devastating 3-word warning to parents after her 11-year-old son tragically died after inhaling a Ted Baker body spray.
Freddie Davis was found unresponsive in bed by his mother, Roseanne Thompson, on the morning of Monday, January 20, 2025, after attempting to get high by sniffing the aerosol late the night before.
The Year 7 pupil had hidden the spray can inside his dressing gown. When he was turned over, it fell out.
According to the Daily Mail, pathologist Dr. Liina Palm (CORR) concluded that the cause of death was inhalation of butane aerosol propellant, and area coroner Nadia Persaud later recorded the death as accidental.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Freddie’s grieving mother has issued a stark warning to other parents: “Aerosols do kill.”
A Mother’s Devastating Discovery
Freddie had recently started at Drapers' Academy in Harold Hill and was described in court as an “outgoing boy who loved sport and learning".
He enjoyed school, was popular and respectful, and had spent the weekend before his death staying with a friend in Brentwood, Essex. His mother said he had been “stroppy” when told he needed to return home in time for dinner on Sunday.
That evening, Thompson offered to help him arrange the lights in his bedroom on the condition that he tidy it first. At about 9.20 pm, he came downstairs saying he could not sleep.
After returning upstairs, he went into his mother’s room twice to ask for a phone charger. She offered to keep his phone overnight to charge it, and he asked her to wake him at 6.30am for school the next morning.
Thompson woke at around 6.20AM. In a statement read to East London Coroners' Court in Walthamstow, she described what happened next.
“I went into his room to wake him up,” her statement read. “I opened the door and called out ‘Fred’ as I do most mornings. I could see he was lying on his front with his face down. I called Fred again. Usually by now he would have responded."
“I began to analyze his position and was thinking ‘Why is he like that?’ I put my hand on his shoulder and noticed he was colder than usual."
“I called out for help and said, ‘I think Fred has gone.’ I dialled 999 and said to the operator: ‘I think my son is dead,'" she continued.
Freddie was turned over so CPR could be attempted, but Thompson said: “I knew he had passed away.” London Ambulance Service confirmed he had died, and no CPR was given.
PC Neil Price of the Metropolitan Police attended the home in Harold Hill, east London. “The scene was obviously emotional,” he said. “There was a smell emanating from the room, but I couldn't distinguish what it was at the time.”
Investigation Finds No Online Evidence Of Aerosol Trend
A search of the house revealed nothing suspicious. Four vapes were discovered in Freddie’s bedroom, but officers found no indication that he had researched aerosol inhalation or suicide.
A report compiled by two senior officers stated: “There was no evidence of any discussion around the inhalation of solvents or discussion with others about the use of such things.”
The report continued: “Mum was noticeably shocked by the deodorant. They had started to buy Freddie Lynx, and in 24 hours it would be empty...There was a trend whereby children empty cans of deodorant into socks and use it to get a high."
“He was told of the risks, and they began buying him roll-on deodorant," the report added.
Police spoke to the late boy's friends and contacted his school, which later held assemblies asking students to come forward with any information. No evidence of bullying or aerosol-related trends was identified.
The distraught mother told the court she had previously heard of a TikTok trend known as “Chroming,” in which young people inhale household substances such as nail varnish, paint, and spray cans.
A year before her son's death, she had sat him down and warned him never to take part. After noticing that a full Lynx spray had once been emptied within 24 hours, she switched to buying roll-on deodorant instead.
She believes a friend may have introduced Freddie to the dangerous practice, though it remains unclear how he obtained the Ted Baker body spray.
Coroner Calls For Greater Awareness Of Aerosol Dangers
Forensic toxicologist John Slaughter told the inquest that propane, butane, and isobutane were found in Freddie’s tissue samples, consistent with the contents of the can recovered from his room.
He explained that spraying aerosol into the airways is highly toxic and can result in coma. The sudden cold can also stimulate the vagus nerve, leading to dangerous heart arrhythmias.
At the conclusion of the hearing, coroner Nadia Persaud said: “I do not know whether parents are aware of the danger of these aerosols, but I think there needs to be more publicity.”
She confirmed she would be writing to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to make them aware of the case.
Freddie’s parents, Thompson, 34, and his father, Ashlie Davis, 37, who are separated, attended the inquest along with both sets of grandparents.
After the hearing, Thompson repeated her warning: “Aerosols do kill," adding: "Children are easily led, and they do not realise the dangers...I wouldn't even risk bringing aerosols anywhere near my family now, I won't even have them in the house."
Friends and family have since raised more than £1,700 ($2.300) for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.