Former child actor Rory Callum Sykes died Wednesday, Jan. 8, a victim of the Palisades Fire, according to his mother, Shelley Sykes. He was 32.
Rory, an Australian actor who was born blind and with cerebral palsy, starred on the British television show “Kiddy Kapers.” In addition to his work in front of the camera, Rory also served as a motivational speaker and helped form the Happy Charity organization with his mom.
Sykes attempted to evacuate their Malibu home when the Palisades Fire ignited, only to have difficulty retrieving emergency services due to limited resources, including power.
“He was my baby, and he died needlessly,” Sykes told Australia’s 10 News First.
Sykes said her son lived in a guest house on the family’s 17-acre Malibu canyon property. As the Palisades Fire encroached on the community, she had no form of communication with the outside world.