A former Australian child actor with cerebral palsy died when the Palisades Fire engulfed his family’s Malibu, California cottage after water supplies failed, leaving his mother unable to save him despite desperate attempts to reach emergency services.

Rory Callum Sykes, 32, died on January 8, 2025 when burning embers ignited the roof of his cottage on his family’s 17-acre estate. His mother, Shelley Sykes, a TV production entrepreneur, attempted to rescue him but was hampered by a broken arm and a non-functioning water supply.

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son to the Malibu fires yesterday,” Shelley Sykes wrote on social media. “He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica.” 

Sykes had refused to leave his cottage due to swollen feet and his need to stay near a bathroom. When the fire intensified, his mother stayed on the main property with her two peacocks, attempting to keep wet while watching helplessly as embers landed on her son’s roof. 

Born blind and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Sykes had overcome numerous physical challenges through surgeries and therapies. He appeared in episodes of the British television show “Kiddy Kapers,” which his mother hosted, and later became a philanthropist, investor, and developer. He co-founded the “Happy Charity” organization, which provides “Hope, Happiness & Health to those that are Hurting.” 

Fire authorities determined Sykes died from carbon monoxide poisoning. His mother recalled the devastating final moments: “He said ‘Mom leave me,’ and no mom can leave their kid,” she told reporters, fighting through tears. “I’ve got a broken arm; I couldn’t lift him; I couldn’t move him.” 

Shelley drove to the nearest fire station for help, but by the time she returned, the cottage had been reduced to “just black ash.” The property, which housed Mount Malibu TV Studios, was completely destroyed.

The water crisis stemmed from multiple infrastructure issues. The Santa Ynez Reservoir, a key 117-million-gallon water storage facility, had been offline for nearly a year due to repairs on its cover. This contributed to critically low water pressure throughout the Palisades area. 

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported unprecedented demand, reaching four times normal levels for 15 consecutive hours. Many hydrants had little to no water flow, forcing the department to deploy 20 water tankers. These tankers had to be reloaded from distant locations, severely hampering firefighting efforts. 

The fire’s toll extended beyond the Sykes family. Anthony Mitchell and his son Justin, both with disabilities, were among other victims unable to evacuate. The combined Palisades and Eaton fires have claimed 24 lives, with 16 deaths in the Eaton Fire and eight in the Palisades Fire. Approximately 12,000 structures have been destroyed, and multiple people remain missing. 

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the Sykes family. Shelley Sykes has announced plans to rebuild the property in her son’s memory as a sanctuary.