Rory Callum Sykes, a former Australian child actor, has become the latest victim of the Los Angeles wildfires after a fire destroyed his family’s Malibu estate, according to a social media post from his mother Shelley Sykes. The 32-year-old became famous when he appeared in the 1998 British TV series Kiddie Capers and later became a motivational speaker on living with a disability, despite Ms Sykes’ best efforts to save her son, he reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
“With great sadness I have to announce that my beautiful son @Rorysykes died yesterday in the Malibu fire. I am absolutely heartbroken,” Ms Sykes wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“He was a British-born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift to me and his grandmother, born on July 29th 92.”
According to Ms. Skies, her son, who was born with cerebral palsy, was living in a cottage on the family’s 17-acre Mount Malibu TV studio property. As Ms. Skies tried to use water to put out the fire, she discovered it had been turned off.
“I could not extinguish the fire on his roof with a hose because the water was turned off. Even 50 brave firefighters did not get water for the whole day,” Ms Sykes wrote.
It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my beautiful son. @rorysykes Tomorrow for the Malibu fire. I am completely devastated. British born Australian, lives in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on my and his grandmother’s birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum… pic.twitter.com/X77xyk83gx
– Shelley Sykes (@shelleysykes) 9 January 2025
She ran to get help from the local fire department, but returned to find that the hut had been destroyed. “She (Rory) said, ‘Mummy leave me’ and no mother can leave her child. And I’ve got a broken arm, I can’t lift it, I can’t move it,” Ms Sykes told The Australian 10 news first.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government’s thoughts were with Rory Sykes’ family at this tragic time. “We are continuing to communicate with Los Angeles authorities, who are working to confirm his death. Defat is in close contact with his family and is providing them with consular assistance.
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los angeles wildfire
Since the wildfires began, they have devastated more than 30,000 acres of Los Angeles County in just a few days, killing 10 people in the process. The LA wildfires are poised to become one of the costliest natural disasters in US history, with estimated losses already exceeding $135 billion.
Total losses could reach $150 billion, making it one of the costliest wildfires the country has ever seen. BBC Have reported.
Although wildfires occur naturally, scientists claim that human-caused climate change is altering the weather and fire dynamics. Two wet years in Southern California have given way to very dry years, leaving substantial amounts of fuel dry and burnable.
