One of the persons who have lost their lives as a result of the devastating wildfires that have occurred in Los Angeles is Rory Callum Sykes, who was a child actor in the past, according to his mother.
Unfortunately, the 32-year-old man, who suffered from cerebral palsy and was blind, passed away as a result of the devastating fire that destroyed the family’s home in the vicinity of Malibu.
Shelley, his distressed mother, has given a description of how she fought bravely to preserve her son and the property, but when she returned, she found that the 17-acre estate had been “burned to the ground.”
Rory, who was born in Britain and moved to Australia when he was a toddler, defied the predictions of medical professionals who believed that he would spend his entire life blind and confined to a wheelchair.
It was despite the fact that he had health issues that he was able to learn how to walk, run, and see. Shelley created a book about her “miracle on legs” called Callum’s Cure, which is published in the parenting genre.
She asserted that Rory had “overcome so much” in his life, citing the fact that he has undergone “therapies to restore his sight and to be able to learn how to walk.”
On Wednesday, January 8, the child actor, who had a starring role in the British RTV sitcom Kiddy Kapers in 1998, tragically lost away as a result of the fumes from the enormous Palisades Fire that was raging in Los Angeles at the time.
Shelley wrote in a letter that was uploaded on Twitter that she was “completely heartbroken” to have lost her “beautiful kid” under such dreadful circumstances.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son Rory Sykes to the Malibu fires yesterday,” she wrote. “Please accept my deepest condolences.” I am completely and utterly heartbroken.
“British born Australian who currently resides in the United States, a wonderful son who was born on the 29th of July, 92, which is also his grandmother’s birthday.”
“Rory was decked out with all the newest Apple gear,” she continued, referring to the fact that he was living in his own separate home on their acreage in Los Angeles.
Shelley asserted that the “water was cut off” when she attempted to use a hose to extinguish the cinders that she believed were on his roof, but her efforts were unsuccessful.
Within the context of an interview with the Australian news outlet 10 News First, the mother expressed her belief that her “baby had died needlessly.”
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. British born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum… pic.twitter.com/X77xyk83gx
— Shelley Sykes (@shelleysykes) January 9, 2025
“Every single one of the phone lines was down,” Shelley stated. “(Rory) told his mother, ‘Mum, leave me.'” It is impossible for a mother to abandon her child. Due to the fact that I have a broken arm, I was unable to lift him or allow him to move.
After she was unsuccessful in her attempt to call 911, the author stated that she drove a quarter of a mile through the thick smoke plumes that were engulfing the area in an effort to get assistance.
Following the discovery of some rescue workers, she stated that she was informed that they had “no water.”
Shelley said, “I shouted out, ‘Oh my god, my son is locked in his room.'” While I was being carried back by the fire service, his cottage had already been completely destroyed by fire.
Rory’s death was attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Shelley, despite the fact that cadaver dogs have not yet located his bodily remains.
“I didn’t want my baby to experience any pain,” she stated with a tearful expression.
According to The New York Post, Rory’s mother asserts that his untimely death has not yet been accounted for in the official death toll.
As of right now, eleven people have lost their lives as a direct result of the wildfires, and the authorities have warned that the number of fatalities is likely to significantly climb in the days to come.
Shelley has stated that she is “not going to move” and has mentioned that she intends to renovate the house, despite the fact that her estate has been destroyed.
She continued by saying, “Rory and I are going to find that to be a very special place.” “We are going to make it even more beautiful than it could have been before.”
A family who was impacted by the fires in Los Angeles is receiving diplomatic support, according to a spokeswoman from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who shared this information with The West Australian.
It was stated in the statement that “it is not possible for us to provide any further comment due to our obligations regarding privacy.”
The information on evacuation orders and warnings, as well as information on evacuation shelters, is being monitored by the Consulate-General in Los Angeles, which is continuing to keep an eye on the flames that are sweeping over the state of California.
In order to stay informed and safe, we strongly encourage people in Australia to follow the recommendations of their local authorities and subscribe to Smartraveller so that they can receive updates.
