Australian motivational speaker and former inspirational personality Rory Sykes, 32, has died in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, his family announced on Thursday.
Sykes, born blind and who had cerebral palsy, was living in Sydney before relocating to the US. He appeared in the media as a child, sharing about his experiences with disabilities, and was even a motivational speaker for a time.
The 17-acre Malibu estate where Sykes lived when he died has been “burned to the ground,” according to his mother Shelley. Firefighters were unable to access the property due to water restrictions, which led to the tragic outcome.
Shelley described trying to save her son but being stopped by her own injury. She said Rory told her to leave him, and she couldn’t move him despite her broken arm.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner has confirmed at least 11 fire-related deaths since the wildfires broke out on Tuesday. Official details about the victims have not yet been released. The Australian government is providing consular assistance to Sykes’ family amid concerns about his potential impact from the fires.
Source: https://people.com/child-star-rory-callum-sykes-dead-fires-8773030