Rory Sykes, who was best known for his time as a child star on the British children’s show Kiddy Kapers, is dead at age 32.
Rory’s mom, Shelley Sykes, announced the heartbreaking update on January 9, and said that he was a victim of the California fires.
“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 grandma’s birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum Sykes,” Shelley wrote via X.
Shelley added that even though Rory was “born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking,” he was able to overcome those difficulties. With “surgeries & therapies,” Rory was able to regain his sight and learn how to walk.
“[Rory] 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,” Shelley continued. “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 firefighters had no water all day!”
She concluded her message by saying that Rory would be “so missed” by her, his online fans and his pet peacocks, Edgee and Mickie.
Shelley also spoke to Australian news station 10 News First about Rory’s death.
“He was my baby; he died needlessly,” Shelley said during an interview published on January 11.
The grieving mother revealed that her calls to 9-1-1 “didn’t work” and “all the phone lines were down.”
“He said, ‘Mom, leave me,’ and no mom can leave their kid,” Shelley told the interviewer through her tears. “I’ve got a broken arm, and I couldn’t lift him, I couldn’t move him.”
When she realized she couldn’t call for help, Shelley drove to a nearby fire station to ask for help. However, the firefighters had no water either, and when they brought Shelley back to her estate, she saw that Rory’s cottage had “burned to the ground.” Shelley took comfort in the fact that Rory passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning as she said she “didn’t want any pain for [her] baby.”
The fires that began raging across California began on January 7 and have left thousands of people displaced, including many celebrities. From Paris Hilton to Mandy Moore, several stars revealed that they lost their homes in the fires.
Princess Bride star Cary Elwes announced that his home was destroyed via Instagram on January 9.
“Firstly, myself and my family are all safe, thank God,” Cary, 62, wrote. “Sadly, we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire. “Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it.”
He concluded his message by thanking everyone for their support.