Rory Callum Sykes, a British-born former child actor, has died in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Sykes, 32, was at his family's home in Malibu when the wildfire ripped through the estate. His death was announced on a post in X (formerly Twitter) by his mother, Shelley Sykes.
"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.
Circumstances Behind His Death
Sykes died on Jan. 8 in the wildfires. In the post, Shelley said she tried to put out the cinders on her son's roof with a hose but could not do so because the water had been "switched off." This came after tanks holding millions of gallons of water went dry as firefighters tried to contain the blazes.
Shelley noted that she could not lift her child---who was born with cerebral palsy, was blind, and had difficulty walking---as she suffered from a broken arm. In a later interview with Australia's 10 News First, Shelley said her son begged her to leave him.
Sykes became known through his appearances on the children's TV show Kiddy Kapers in the late 1990s. Born blind and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Rory defied medical expectations by undergoing surgeries and therapies to restore his sight and learn to walk. He later became a motivational speaker, traveling widely and co-founding the Happy Charity with his mother to help others facing physical and mental challenges.
What Is the Latest Update on the LA Wildfires?
Sykes is now one of the 16 people who died in the wildfire. Authorities say the toll could be higher as firefighters and first responders gain access to more areas.
More than 105,000 residents are still under evacuation orders as threats remain "very high" due to the Santa Ana winds. The Palisades Fire is currently 11% contained. It has razed through nearly 24,000 acres and is responsible for at least five of the confirmed deaths.
The Eaton Fire is partially contained at 27%. It has burned through over 14,000 acres in the Altadena area and is linked to at least 11 deaths.
