Former Australian child actor and motivational speaker Rory Sykes died Wednesday in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires at age 32. His mother, author Shelley Sykes, confirmed his death on social media Thursday.
Sykes perished from carbon monoxide poisoning when flames engulfed his cottage on his family's 17-acre Mount Malibu estate, according to fire officials. The tragedy occurred amid widespread evacuations as wind-driven fires swept through the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas.
Born blind with cerebral palsy on July 29, 1992, Sykes overcame significant health challenges through multiple surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and ability to walk. As a child, he appeared on England's Kiddy Kapers series in the late 1990s and became an inspirational speaker, addressing audiences for Tony Robbins at just eight years old.
In recent years, Sykes worked as a humanitarian and author while pursuing his passions for gaming and technology. He co-founded Happy Charity with his mother and was known for his love of Apple products and the game RuneScape.
His mother detailed the heartbreaking circumstances of his death, explaining that water had been cut off to the property, leaving her and responding firefighters unable to save him. "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," she told Australian news outlet 10 News.
Sykes is survived by his mother Shelley and his beloved pet peacocks, Edgee and Mickie. His death marks one of at least 11 fatalities reported since the Los Angeles wildfires began on Tuesday, January 7.