Rory Callum Sykes, a former child star of Australiadied when the Los Angeles wildfires reached his Malibu property, his mother Shelley Sykes shared on social media. The 32-year-old was known for his role in the 1998 British television series Kiddy Kapers.
Sykes suffered from cerebral palsy and has also been a motivational speaker on living with a disability. He reportedly died of carbon monoxide after his mother failed to evacuate him from their home because he was unable to walk.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son Rory Sykes in the Malibu fires yesterday. I am absolutely heartbroken. He was born in Great Britain Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine and his grandmother’s birthday July 29, 92,” she said in a lengthy tribute to her son on X.
Skyes’ mother said her son lived on the family’s 17-acre Mt. Malibu TV studio area when the fire reached their home. “I couldn’t put the ashes out of his roof with a garden hose because the water was off. Even the 50 brave firefighters had no water all day,” she said.
Fearing for his life, she tried to evacuate him from the house, but was unable to move his body. That’s when Sykes told him to leave him and run away. “He [Rory] said: “Mom, leave me” and no mother can leave her child. And I have a broken arm, I couldn’t lift it, I couldn’t move it,” she told Australian media.
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Having no options left, she ran to get help from the firefighters, but when she returned, the fire had completely destroyed the chalet. “He will be greatly missed by Mom, his pet peacocks Edgee and Mickie and all his online fans around the world!” she wrote.
(Also read: Disney donates $15 million to Los Angeles relief and rebuilding efforts)
The Los Angeles wildfires have devastated more than 30,000 acres, killing 10 people and causing losses estimated at more than $135 billion, possibly reaching $150 billion, according to the BBC. Scientists attribute the severity of this situation to human-caused climate change, which has altered weather patterns. After two wet years, the South from California The current dry conditions have largely fueled the fires.
