Former Australian child star Rory Sykes, who was born blind and had cerebral palsy, tragically lost his life in the California wildfires this past Wednesday. His mother, Shelley Sykes, shared the heartbreaking news that she was unable to save him from their home, which was engulfed by the flames.
In a post on social media platform X, Shelley Sykes expressed her profound sorrow, stating, “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. I’m totally heart broken.” She described Rory, aged 32, as a wonderful son who faced challenges due to his visual impairment and cerebral palsy.
Rory Sykes, known for his role in the late-’90s British TV show “Kiddy Kapers,” resided in a cottage on his family’s 17-acre Malibu estate. Tragically, their home was consumed by the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, leaving Shelley unable to extinguish the flames on Rory’s roof due to a lack of water. The Palisades Fire, which began on Tuesday, has spread across more than 22,000 acres, causing significant destruction to approximately 5,000 structures.
In an interview with Australian outlet 10 News First, Shelley Sykes recounted the harrowing events leading up to her son’s passing. She revealed that despite sustaining a broken arm, she desperately tried to rescue Rory but was physically unable to lift or move him. Recalling their final moments together, Shelley tearfully shared, “He said, ‘Mom, leave me.’ And no mom could leave their kid.”
Seeking assistance from the local fire department, Shelley was met with the heartbreaking reality that they were unable to provide the necessary water to combat the encroaching flames. Upon her return to the scene with the fire department, she discovered that Rory’s cottage had been reduced to ashes.
According to information from 10 News First, firefighters informed Shelley that Rory had succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning during the wildfire. Despite the devastating loss, Rory’s death has yet to be officially included in the wildfire fatality count, as reported by the station.
Authorities have confirmed the tragic deaths of at least 11 individuals in the Los Angeles area as a result of the ongoing wildfires. Firefighters persist in their efforts to contain the blazes, which have scorched through 39,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles region as of Saturday.
