The 32-year-old former child star passed away when his mother was unable to save him from fires in Los Angeles. ‘Totally heartbroken’

According to his family, one of the victims of the terrible Los Angeles wildfires was an Australian man who was once an inspirational figure.

Rory Sykes, 32, who was in the media as a youngster discussing living with impairments like cerebral palsy and was even a motivational speaker for a period, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at his family’s home in Malibu, Calif., according to his mother, Shelley Sykes, in a post on X.

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son, @Rorysykes, due to the Malibu fires yesterday,” Shelley said on Thursday, Jan. 9, adding that she was “totally heartbroken” over her “wonderful son.”

Rory, who was born blind, lived in Sydney, Australia, before moving to the United States, according to Australian Station 9 News.

He died while staying in a cabin on his family’s 17-acre Malibu home, according to his mother, X.

Shelley wrote, “Even the 50 brave firefighters were without water all day.

(In response to criticism over allegations of a shortage of water, Los Angeles officials acknowledged there was a momentary dip in water pressure and some water tanks ran empty owing to “tremendous demand.”)

Prior to his death, Rory “overcame so much with surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and be able to learn to walk” and was ready to explore the globe “despite the pain,” according to his mother, who also authored a book about him.

She expressed her profound loss for her late son.

Rory recently identified himself as an ardent player (of RuneScape), investor, and philanthropist. He founded Happy Charity with his mother to “help others.”

Emotionally, Shelley told 10 News First that she “couldn’t stop the flames from taking over” and that Rory’s cabin had burned to the ground.

She remembers trying to save her son, but an injury she had sustained halted her efforts.

“He said, ‘Mom, leave me,’ and no mother can abandon her child. “I have a broken arm, and I couldn’t lift or move him,” Shelley explained.

According to 10 News First, fire personnel verified to Shelley that her kid died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, at least 11 people have died as a result of the wildfires that started on Tuesday, January 7.

We have not yet received any additional formal information about the deceased.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian officials confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade “was providing consular assistance to a family of an Australian man who may have been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires” but could not say more due to privacy concerns.