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A tragic incident unfolded in Malibu as former Australian child actor Rory Sykes, 32, lost his life in the California wildfires. His mother, Shelley Sykes, made desperate attempts to rescue him from their burning home, alleging that the water supply had been cut off during the emergency.
Shelley announced the devastating news on social media platform X, expressing her profound grief over the loss of her son, who was born on July 29, 1992, sharing a birthday with both his mother and grandmother.
Rory, who was born blind and had cerebral palsy, resided in a separate cottage on their 17-acre Malibu property. In an interview with Australian media outlet 10 News, Shelley recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the tragedy.
Rory Sykes, who was blind & had cerebral palsy, passed away in the LA fires, told his mom to leave him so she could save herself.
His mother said all the phone lines were down and they were unable to call 911.
“He said, ‘Mom, leave me.’ I couldn't lift him. I couldn't move him” pic.twitter.com/2I3sbwgNMn
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) January 11, 2025
“He said ‘Mum, leave me’ and no mum could leave their kid. I’ve got a broken arm, I couldn’t lift him, I couldn’t move him,” Sykes told 10 News.
The distraught mother described how she rushed to the nearest fire station, approximately 500 yards away, seeking assistance. Upon arrival, she was informed that the local fire hydrants lacked water reserves. When firefighters accompanied her back to the property, her son’s cottage had been completely destroyed by the flames.
However, Las Virgenes Municipal Water representatives contested Shelley’s account. According to NBC News, a spokesperson stated that “water service did remain available and uninterrupted to her property and the entire surrounding community.”
The mother of a 32-year-old Australian man is grieving the loss of her child that was killed in his home during the Los Angeles wildfires.
Rory Sykes was born blind and was living with cerebral palsy in a self-contained cottage in Malibu. #9Today
MORE: https://t.co/DBVRfRKLn8 pic.twitter.com/V75QPvEqLP
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) January 11, 2025
“Our water system remained operational and we did provide water to the firefighters throughout the emergency and without interruption,” the spokesperson said.
Shelley mentioned that Rory’s death has not yet been officially recorded in the Los Angeles fires death toll, as cadaver dogs need to locate his remains in the cottage’s debris.
The deceased actor had achieved recognition for his role in the British television series Kiddy Kapers during 1998-99. In recent years, he and his mother had established Happy Charity, with Shelley remembering him as “a true humanitarian” in her tribute.