Former Child Star Rory Sykes Dies Heroically in LA Fires After Telling Mom to Save Herself

Former child star Rory Sykes, who starred in the popular 1990s British television show “Kiddy Kapers,” died tragically at age 32 in the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Sykes, born blind and with cerebral palsy, lived in a cottage on his family’s 17-acre estate near Malibu.

In addition, on January 8, 2025, with the Palisades Fire rapidly advancing upon the property, the decedent’s mother, Shelley, was unable to save her son. More specifically, she attempted to douse embers falling on the roof of the cottage but was thwarted by her broken arm and lack of water because the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District had shut off the local water supply.

In a heart-wrenching moment, Rory urged his mother to save herself, saying, “Mom, leave me.” Unable to lift him due to his condition and her injury, Shelley sought help from a nearby fire station. By the time assistance arrived, the cottage had been reduced to ashes. Firefighters later informed her that Rory had succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Rory’s life was a perfect epitome of resilience. He underwent surgeries and therapies, learned to walk and see again, and overcame many physical challenges in life. He was an actor, a motivational speaker, and also a philanthropist. He founded the organization Happy Charity to help needy people.

The wildfires in Los Angeles have been devastating, burning over 21,000 acres and more than 5,000 structures in the Palisades alone. On 11 January, containment was only up to 11%, with many areas of the city being in danger. According to the authorities, 11 people have already died, without counting Rory.

Shelley expressed her profound grief on social media, describing Rory as a “wonderful son” who will be “incredibly missed.” She highlighted his enthusiasm for traveling the world and his contributions to society despite the challenges he faced.

The tragedy of Rory Sykes underscores the human toll of the ongoing wildfires and raises concerns about emergency preparedness and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.