Rory Callum Sykes, a 32-year-old blind Australian and former child actor, tragically died when flames from the Palisades Fire engulfed his family’s Malibu cottage on January 8. The blaze, which swept through the family’s 17-acre estate, left his mother, author Shelley Sykes, devastated.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son to the Malibu fires yesterday,” Shelley shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Rory, born blind and living with cerebral palsy, had defied numerous challenges through surgeries and therapies to improve his mobility and vision. Shelley described him as an adventurous spirit who loved traveling the world alongside her, visiting destinations from Africa to Antarctica.
A Desperate Battle Against the Flames
According to 10 News First, embers from the raging wildfire ignited the roof of the family’s cottage, trapping Rory inside. Shelley, injured with a broken arm, tried to save her son but was unable to lift or move him.
“He said, ‘Mom, leave me,’ and no mom can leave their kid,” Shelley tearfully recounted. Despite her efforts, Rory remained trapped as the flames consumed the building.
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Shelley claimed that her attempts to extinguish the fire were hindered by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District allegedly shutting off the water supply. “The 50 brave firefighters” who responded also struggled without adequate water to combat the inferno, she said.
Unable to call 911 due to nonfunctional phone lines, Shelley drove a quarter mile through smoke-filled roads to alert first responders. By the time she returned with firefighters, the cottage had burned to the ground.
Fire’s Toll and Cause of Death
Firefighters later told Shelley that Rory had likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning before the flames could cause further harm. “I didn’t want any pain for my baby,” she said, heartbroken.
Although the Palisades Fire has officially claimed five lives, Rory’s death is not yet included in the toll, as his remains have not been recovered, according to reports.
The deadly fires have ravaged the region, with the Eaton Fire taking six additional lives.
A Life of Achievement and Resilience
Rory had appeared in a handful of episodes of the British TV show Kiddy Kapers, which his mother hosted in 1998. The Malibu estate where the tragedy occurred was previously featured on Shelley’s reality show, Get Syked with Style.
In his later years, Rory described himself as a “gamer and a philanthropist” on his personal website, showcasing his determination to live a meaningful life despite his challenges.
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A Mother’s Grief
Shelley’s heartbreak is compounded by the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. As she mourns her loss, she has expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ bravery while lamenting the lack of resources that hindered their efforts.
Rory’s story stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring bond between a mother and her son, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
