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Rory Sykes, who rose to fame in the 1990s British show "Kiddy Kapers", tragically lost his life in the Malibu wildfires on Wednesday. At just 32 years old, Rory's passing has left his family and fans heartbroken. Rory lived with cerebral palsy, which made mobility a challenge, yet he defied expectations and lived a life full of accomplishments.
His mother, Shelley Sykes, who also hosted "Kiddy Kapers", shared the devastating news on social media, saying, "It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son." She described Rory as a "wonderful son" who overcame immense challenges with surgeries and therapies, regaining his sight and learning to walk despite the pain.
A mother's heroic attempt
Shelley recounted the harrowing events that led to her son's passing. When flames reached their 17-acre Malibu estate, she tried to extinguish the cinders on Rory's roof using a garden hose but was unable to because the local water supply had been shut off. To make matters worse, Shelley had a broken arm and could not carry Rory to safety. In a tearful interview, she revealed his last words: "Mom, leave me."
Despite rushing to a local firehouse for help, it was too late by the time firefighters arrived. Rory succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The ongoing devastation of the Pacific Palisades Fire
The Pacific Palisades Fire has become one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. Since it began on Tuesday, the fire has consumed over 21,000 acres and destroyed more than 5,000 structures. Rory's tragic death highlights the human toll of these disasters, as firefighters continue their efforts to contain the blaze, which is currently only 11% under control.
Rory's legacy, including his founding of Happy Charity to aid those in need and his inspirational speaking at a young age, will live on. His mother described him as someone who "enthused about traveling the world" despite his struggles, and his passing has left an irreplaceable void.
English (US) ·