The parents of 19-year-old Renna O’Rourke are speaking out after their daughter tragically died from participating in a dangerous social media trend known as “dusting.”
Renna, who dreamed of becoming famous, ordered aerosol keyboard cleaner with her boyfriend via DoorDash to her family’s home in Tempe, Arizona, without her mother’s knowledge. After inhaling the chemical, she went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the ICU, where she remained unconscious for a week before being declared brain-dead.
“She always said, ‘I’m going to be famous, Dad. Just you watch,’” her father, Aaron O’Rourke, told 12 News. “Unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.”
“Dusting,” also called chroming or huffing, involves inhaling fumes from household chemicals to achieve a quick high, often recorded for views online. The effects can be instantly fatal, frequently causing sudden heart failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Renna’s parents described her as “vivacious, caring, and loyal.” Her father recalled how much she loved to sing and how her laughter could light up a room.
