Former Australian child star Rory Sykes has died in the devastating California wildfires, aged 32.
Rory, who was born blind and suffered from cerebral palsy, tragically lost his life when his family’s 17-acre Malibu estate was engulfed in flames earlier this week, according to his mother.
The actor, who starred in the late 90s British television series Kiddy Kaperslived in a cottage on the family estate in Malibu.
Rory’s mother, Shelley Sykes, shared the news of her sad passing on her X account on Thursday.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes in the Malibu fires yesterday. I am absolutely heartbroken,” Shelley Sykes wrote.
She further added, “Australian of British descent living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on my grandmother’s birthday and her grandmother’s birthday, July 29, 1992, Rory Callum Sykes.”
Shelley said it burned during the Palisades Fire when she was unable to “put the ashes out of her roof with a hose because the water was shut off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water.”
“Even the 50 brave firefighters didn’t have water all day! He will be missed incredibly,” she added.
Rory Sykes was a “sought-after inspirational speaker” for Tony Robbins when he was 8 and appeared on television as a child.
