Former Child Star Killed In L.A. Fires After Mom Tried to Save Him

The Los Angeles wildfires continue to cause devastation across California.

The Australian former child actor, Rory Callum Sykes, tragically passed away in a fire at the age of 32. He is one of the increasing number of victims who have lost their lives in such incidents. In his early career, he appeared on the British TV show known as Kiddy Kapers.

In a heartbreaking post on X Jan. 9, Shelley Sykes shared the tragic news of her beloved son, Rory Sykes, who passed away due to the Malibu fires. “My heart is shattered,” she wrote. Born on July 29, 1992, Rory was a British-born Australian citizen living in America. Known for his warmth and kindness, Rory had a unique birthday – sharing it with his grandmothers. Despite being blind and struggling with cerebral palsy, which made walking difficult, Rory lived independently in his own cottage on the family’s 17-acre Malibu estate.

In heavy showers of embers, his mother attempted to call for help by dialing 911, but could not establish a connection. Tragically, she shared with 10 News First (Australian outlet) that he perished unnecessarily. “He said ‘Mom, abandon me,'” she lamented, “but no mother can desert her child.

“I couldn’t lift him,” she added. “I couldn’t move him.”

Upon the arrival of the emergency services, unfortunately, there was no water in the hydrants. As a result, the valiant 50 firefighters were without water for the entire day, as she poignantly stated on X.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of knowing Rory – a true embodiment of resilience and determination. He’s not just a fighter; he’s a conqueror who battled countless obstacles, undergoing numerous surgeries and therapies to restore his sight and learn to walk again. Yet, even amidst the agony, he maintained an infectious zest for life that inspired me deeply. We’ve shared incredible journeys together, from the heart of Africa to the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, and each step we took was a testament to his indomitable spirit.

@RorySykes gained recognition as an inspiring speaker for Tony Robbins at just eight years old. The first publication of Callum’s book, titled ‘@CallumsCure’, came from Simon & Schuster in Australia and it showcases his bravery.

Lately, they established Happy Charity, and he was indeed a devoted humanitarian, according to his mother’s eulogy. It was also mentioned that he considered himself a die-hard supporter of both Apple and Tim Cook, and above all, an enthusiastic RuneScape player!

As she wrote, “He will be incredibly missed.”

Read on for how the fires have impacted Hollywood and beyond…

The actress who played Iron Man shared her sorrow on social media, as a terrible event has struck her cherished city.

She expressed profound sadness on her January 9th Instagram post, as many of her dear friends have lost everything to the fires. She’s grateful for those who have shown concern, and she assures us that they are currently safe. Once the fires subside, there will be more to share and much to do.

She went on to say, “Los Angeles, the city named for angels, requires help from every type of angel.” She then asked, “Everyone, please take care and remain cautious.

In the aftermath of sadly losing their home to the Los Angeles fires, the actress from “Once Upon a Time” and the actor from “One Tree Hill” have come together to share mutual resources.

Bryan posted on his Instagram story on January 9th, ‘It seems like a dream.’ He shared pictures of what used to be their house, reduced to ruins by fire. Fortunately, the family is unharmed. A heartfelt thank you to all the brave firefighters putting their lives at risk. Take care out there.

And in between posting helpful resources, Jamie shared a tragic video of their entire neighborhood.

Wow, it’s heartbreaking to see that our entire neighborhood has vanished,” she said on the 9th of January. “We express our deepest gratitude towards the courageous firefighters and first responders. May we avoid any more tragic losses due to these devastating fires. Stay secure and remain alert.

Before the fire consumed it, the Grammy-winning artist offered a final glimpse of the breathtaking view from her beachfront home in Los Angeles.

In her Instagram post on January 9th, the songwriter shared that the final photo she took of Leah’s rock, visible from her beach house, was before last night’s fire. She has owned the house almost for three decades now, and it appears to be destroyed by the flames. However, a rainbow gracing the scene brings hope to all creatures impacted by this calamity.

Actor from “The Princess Bride” expressed his feelings to fans as their shared Malibu residence, with his wife Lisa Marie Kurbikoff, was unfortunately destroyed by the fire.

In a post on January 9th on Instagram, he expressed that himself, along with his family, were fortunate enough to be safe, which he attributed to gratitude towards God. Regrettably, their house was destroyed by the fire, yet they remain thankful for having made it through this extremely destructive incident.

Our deepest sympathies are with those affected by this unfortunate incident, and we’d like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the tireless efforts of firefighters, emergency responders, and law enforcement personnel who have been working around the clock. We are touched by the overwhelming support from everyone, which truly means a lot to us.

In a January 9 Instagram post, the ex-talk show host recounted their last attempts to safeguard their Los Angeles house as they watched distant wildfires engulf it, in a video she shared online. Her husband is named Ross Burningham.

In a video, she expressed that we were walking along my street, hoping for the safety of these homes and their inhabitants, as well as mine. The fire was nearby, visible in the background. She continued by saying that she wasn’t sure what items she hastily grabbed, but she suspects she may have just bid farewell to her house.

She expressed her gratitude in the caption, saying ‘Thankful for making it out safe and sound.’ She is forever thankful to @kirbykotler_, a true guardian angel who did everything he could to protect our valuable property. It’s clear that if we had stayed, we wouldn’t have survived.

The HGTV host’s home, which she recently moved into, was lost in the wildfires.

14 days ago, we received the keys to our new LA residence nestled in Rustic Canyon, a location dear to us. Although I myself felt a touch of apprehension, we were eager (albeit with some reservation on my part) to return to this beloved area of Los Angeles. On Instagram, she posted pictures of the house on January 10th, describing it as a charming and eccentric historical artists’ home that we intended to fill with our cherished items, transforming it into a haven for writing and creating.

However, just three days ago, we tragically lost it all. We consider ourselves fortunate; we have a beautiful and secure house in PA where we can retreat to. I am filled with admiration for the firefighters and women who selflessly rushed towards the flames while we were able to flee. All I can say is thank you.

On January 9th, during a guest spot on Elizabeth Vargas Reports, the actor from Braveheart revealed that his house in Malibu had been demolished while he was off recording an episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast in Texas.

As a lifestyle expert, I can empathize when someone says, “Indeed, it’s quite disheartening. It’s deeply emotional.” A 69-year-old individual expressed this sentiment after experiencing a loss. For them, the place was more than just a dwelling; it was a home they had cherished for a significant period. The items that filled their space were not merely possessions but memories and reminders of their past. Now, in an unexpected turn of events, those tangible pieces of their life have turned into ashes. However, there’s a strange sense of liberation too, as the weight of material belongings has been lifted, leaving them with the essence of their memories intact.

However, upon his return home to find it razed, he was thankful to see that his beloved chickens had made it through unscathed. He exclaimed in awe, “It’s incredible!

The spouse of the star from “Top Gun Maverick”, Keleigh Teller, posted one final picture of their Los Angeles residence, which they later unfortunately lost to a fire.

In her January 9th Instagram post, the 32-year-old expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who reached out. She stated that their kindness has been priceless and has truly made a world of difference. She also shared her love for the Pacific Palisades community, describing it as a small piece of heaven, and expressed confidence that they will rise stronger than ever in the future.

She urged, “If you live near Los Angeles, please evacuate if possible.” She expressed regret that she didn’t take her wedding dress with her and wished she had made different decisions, but it doesn’t matter now. Stay safe and leave. There are no words to express this situation. A big thank you goes out to the first responders who are battling this crisis.

On January 9th, the supermodel disclosed that the childhood residence she once shared with her sister, Gigi Hadid, and mother, Yolanda Hadid, was destroyed by the Palisades Fire.

The actress from “This Is Us”, a mother of three children with her husband Taylor Goldsmith, provided an update about her family following the necessity to leave their residence.

She posted on Instagram on January 9th, “We managed to park and stroll up our street to see the devastation firsthand. Incredibly, the core structure of our home remains, though it’s currently uninhabitable and only partially undamaged.

However, she noted that the home studio, garage and back house were destroyed in the Eaton Fire.

All the houses on our street are no longer there. In six weeks, my in-laws, my brother and his wife are expecting their first child. Our closest friends,” she mentioned. “I’m experiencing a strange sense of survivor’s guilt. We care deeply about this community and will do whatever it takes to aid in its rebuilding and support.

Similar to his co-star from the show “This Is Us,” the actor’s residence in Los Angeles was ravaged by the fires. Upon surveying the remnants of his property, he shared with CBS Evening News that his spirit felt somber and weighed down.

“You start thinking about all the memories,” he continued. “My heart just breaks.”

During the Kenneth Fire breakout on January 9th, the renowned singer known for her hit “Irresistible” posted a picture showing smoke billowing from beyond her yard’s boundary. In the caption, she mentioned, “We lingered there as long as possible.

The actress from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” shared that the house she and her teenage daughter Laela resided in Malibu – which was their dream home – was completely destroyed by the fires.

She expressed on Instagram, January 9th, “This is an unfathomable sorrow.” Alongside Los Angeles, I mourn as it blazes… and at present, no words seem adequate to convey the emotion I’m experiencing now.

Tonight, my house was ablaze, but we were able to keep it from being destroyed due to the selfless efforts of the firefighters at @losangelesfiredepartment. They fought the flames both on the ground and from the air. I am deeply grateful for their heroism.” (or) “Tonight, my house went up in flames, but thanks to the valiant efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department, we still have a home. These brave individuals battled the blaze from both the ground and the air. My heartfelt thanks go out to them.”)

The author of the “Cravings” cookbook began preparing for potential evacuation, expressing her fear on her Instagram Story on January 8th with, “This feels unreal. I’m incredibly anxious. I’m packing.

The hairdresser and her spouse, Mike Rosenthal, successfully evacuated together with their children and pets. However, she reported that their house had been completely destroyed.

She stated on her Instagram Stories on January 8th, accompanied by a heartfelt self-portrait. ‘The entire region has been destroyed,’ she said, expressing that many people are currently homeless and fearful, which is nearly overwhelming to grasp.

On the day following the Sunset Fire that engulfed the Hollywood Hills, the sister duo famously known as the Culpo Sisters, who are married to NFL player Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, expressed their concerns on Instagram Story on January 9th. They wrote, “I am fervently praying for our community. My heart is heavy with sympathy for everyone who has suffered such devastating losses in a matter of moments. It’s simply heart-wrenching and hard to comprehend.

On January 9th, Beyoncé’s mother revealed that her cherished location, her peaceful haven, and her sacred spot – her beloved happy place – had been devastated by the Palisades Fire.

On the weekend of my birthday, I was taking in the view from my small waterfront bungalow in Malibu, as seen in this video of the Pacific Ocean. Sadly, that beautiful scene is no longer there!

The entrepreneur expressed, “I want to acknowledge and appreciate all the courageous firefighters out there. They put their lives on the line in hazardous situations for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering dedication, bravery, and life-saving efforts.

As I gazed upon my cherished Los Angeles, battling the devastating fires on January 9th, my heart ached deeply for countless friends who have been left with nothing. (Instagram post)

Gwyneth remarked, “Once the flames subside, there’ll be much to discuss and plenty to accomplish. Los Angeles, our city of angels, will require help from angels in every form. So, stay secure and alert, everyone.

The deceased Joan Rivers’ daughter confirmed that their house had been engulfed in flames, but fortunately they were able to escape with essential items and some cherished family heirlooms.

She shared with CNN that she picked up her mom’s Emmy award, a picture of her dad, and a sketch her mother made of her and her son. Instead of choosing a photograph, she opted for one of her mother’s drawings. She understands that she can easily find the photos, but a drawing like that is irreplaceable.

The “Bad Peace” singer shared on Jan. 8 that “me and my children’s home is gone.”

On Instagram Story, she shared, “Everything was reduced to ashes, including our possessions.” She expressed gratitude for still having one another. We’re beginning anew. Her heart is filled with a heavy weight.

Travis Barker’s children, Landon and Alabama, mentioned that they had to vacate their homes due to the destruction.

Alabama shared on Instagram Story (January 7) that they had to leave their home because of rapid wildfires in Los Angeles. They warned others to stay safe and mentioned that the fires were reportedly spreading football field distances in a matter of seconds.

The star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and her husband, Phil Laak, left their home in the Palisades and moved to Commerce, a district located southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, due to the Palisades Fire. On January 8th, she shared on Instagram that they had to evacuate to the Commerce Casino.

On January 8th, the previous host of a talk show announced through social media that their home was demolished by the Palisades Fire. Posting old photos of the property on Instagram, they expressed their feelings with the caption, “Everything is lost.

She went on, lamenting, “We sadly no longer have our cherished dream home. It was our slice of paradise here on earth, where we envisioned spending our golden years together. Not a moment was taken for granted, not even a single second, as it sat majestically overlooking the enchanting Malibu landscape.

She remarked, “This loss is beyond calculation. It’s the place where we exchanged our vows three years ago. I mourn alongside everyone else going through this catastrophic situation.

To the inhabitants of Southern California: The President expresses his solidarity with you. His team has been continuously supplying weather forecast support around the clock, dispatched 5 Air Tankers and 10 firefighting helicopters, positioned many fire engines in readiness, authorized funds to reimburse firefighting expenses, and he’s granted Governor Newsom’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

In another Instagram post, he expressed his gratitude to those valiant individuals who ventured into danger across Southern California over the last 24 hours. He wanted them to understand that their President, as well as the entire nation, stands in solidarity with them.

Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s emergency declaration and urgent plea for residents to heed officials’ advice, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude to President Joe Biden on my Instagram. On January 8th, I penned a heartfelt message: “Thank you, @potus, for your immediate action, and for the assistance you’re providing California as we wage our battle against these extraordinary wildfires.

The actor from General Hospital shared that he, his family, and themselves managed to safely get away from the fire, but regrettably, their house was destroyed in the flames. He posted a distressing video of burning debris on Instagram on January 8th, stating, “This is all that remains of our beautiful home… Our home where our children grew up and dreamed of raising their own kids someday.

On January 8th, the celebrity known as Mighty Aphrodite shared that she had evacuated from her home due to the Los Angeles fires. She posted on Instagram, “Welcome to the raging fire,” expressing her prayers for everyone’s safety, their families, and pets. Despite the blackout, they managed to secure their cats safely, and everything is currently fine.

The actress from Dirty Sexy Money expressed on social media on January 9 that she’s uncertain if Casa Cayne will remain a place for her to return home in Altadena. “My cherished Altadena. I’m still unsure if my house is standing, it doesn’t appear so. Charlie and I are safe.

The former cast member of Riverdale posted on Instagram Stories that she had to leave her residence due to some situation. She expressed being secure, sending prayers for the city and its inhabitants, and urged everyone to remain cautious and check their phones regularly.

2025-01-11 18:20

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