Former Child Star Rory Sykes Dies in Los Angeles Fire

Tragic news has emerged as former child star Rory Sykes lost his life amid the devastating fires sweeping through Los Angeles.

His mother, Shelley Sykes, broke the heartbreaking news on X (formerly Twitter), sharing that Rory died in a cottage on their family’s 17-acre property. She revealed that despite her desperate efforts, she couldn’t douse the flames on the roof with a hose because the water supply had been shut off by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

In an emotional interview with Australia’s 10 News First, Shelley recounted the terrifying moments. She was unable to move her son, who had difficulty walking due to a medical condition, from the burning house — and her own broken arm made things even harder.

As she tried to save him, Rory tearfully pleaded, “Mom, leave me…” But Shelley couldn’t bring herself to abandon her son, saying, “No mom can leave their kid.”

When she couldn’t reach 911, Shelley rushed to the local firehouse for help. Sadly, by the time she returned, it was too late.

Firefighters later confirmed that Rory died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Announcing his death, she wrote: ‘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 Sykes.

@rorysykes was the founder with me of

@happycharity a true humanitarian. He saw him self as the number one fan of

@Apple &

@tim_cook & most importantly an avid

@RuneScape gamer!

@rorysykes was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica.

@rorysykes was a sought after inspirational speaker for

@TonyRobbins when he was only 8 years old. @CallumsCure book first published by

@simonschuster in Australia was about his courage.

@rorysykes had his own cottage on our 17 acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, decked out with all the latest apple gadgets, which burnt down yesterday 8 Jan 2024 Malibu Fires. I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by

@LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water. Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day! He will be incredibly missed by

@shelleysykes , mama his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie & all his online fans around the world!”