“He Said, Mom, Leave Me” Mother Shares How She Tragically Had To Leave Her Disabled Son Behind In The LA Fires… He Sadly Died In The Blaze

Shelley Sykes, a 62-year-old Australian mother living in Malibu, shared the devastating story of how she lost her disabled son, Rory Sykes, in the recent Los Angeles fires. Shelley and Rory lived on a 17-acre estate, with Rory, 32, residing in a cottage at the back of the property. Rory, who was blind and had cerebral palsy, depended heavily on Shelley for care. When the fires erupted, Shelley was inside the main property trying to protect herself and her pet peacocks. However, she soon noticed embers falling on Rory’s cottage, igniting a desperate fight to save her son.

Shelley attempted to put out the flames with a hose, only to discover it wasn’t producing water. Phone lines were down, preventing her from calling for help. Despite her efforts to move Rory to safety, an injured arm left her unable to lift him. In a moment of unimaginable heartbreak, Rory urged her to save herself, saying, “Leave me.” Overwhelmed by the situation, Shelley eventually fled with her peacocks to find assistance at a local fire station. Tragically, by the time firefighters returned to the property, Rory’s cottage had been reduced to rubble, and officials have yet to recover his remains.

Shelley described Rory as selfless and deeply considerate, even in his final moments. “He was my baby. No mommy leaves her kid when they’re special,” she tearfully told reporters. This unimaginable loss highlights the far-reaching devastation of the L.A. fires and the enduring strength of a mother’s love in the face of unspeakable tragedy. | Via 10 News First |