Who is Shelley Sykes? Australian author pays tribute to son Rory killed in Los Angeles wildfires

Shelley Sykes, a British-born Australian who is a TV showrunner and the author of the bestselling book— 'Callum's Cure: A Triumph of Positive Parenting,' tragically lost her 32-year-old son Rory Sykes to the LA wildfires.

In a heartfelt post, Shelley Sykes shared the news on her X. The statement read:

"@rorysykes had his own cottage on our 17 acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, decked out with all the latest apple gadgets, which burnt down yesterday 8 Jan 2024 Malibu Fires. I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water. Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day!"

Shelley Sykes is a multifaceted speaker, author, and entrepreneur currently based in California. Known for her engaging and motivational 'Get Syked' seminars, Shelley has had a dynamic career spanning continents, languages, and industries. According to her LinkedIn, Shelley speaks on topics like happiness, productivity, media, love, travel, and more.

Shelley, who holds an MBA and a doctorate in cultural and behavioral psychology, wrote and featured in a reality TV series in 2017 called 'Get Syked for Fun Food & Fashion.'

For Shelley Sykes, the tragedy of losing her son Rory is compounded by the profound bond they shared and something she immortalized in her book— Callum's Cure: A Triumph of Positive Parenting.

Shelley's book was not just a celebration of Rory's resilience but also a testament to her unwavering belief in his potential. Born blind and with cerebral palsy, Rory was initially given a grim prognosis, but through Shelley’s relentless advocacy, he overcame immense obstacles.

Rory was her co-founder in their humanitarian effort called 'Happy Charity,' which raised funds for children in need globally. He was her travel companion and a shining example of what positive parenting can achieve.

---

How did Shelly Sykes's son lose his life?

Rory Sykes tragically lost his life in the devastating Malibu fires on January 8, 2024, when his cottage on their 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate burned to the ground. His mother was unable to extinguish the fire with a garden hose, as the water supply had been cut off by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. Firefighters, who also lacked water due to the outage, were unable to save the property. By the time they escorted Shelley back to the site, Rory’s cottage had been completely consumed by flames.

In an interview with 10 News First, Sykes said:

“He was my baby, and he died needlessly... He said ‘Mum, leave me’ and no mum could leave their kid... I’ve got a broken arm, I couldn’t lift him. I couldn’t move him."

Shelley expressed her heartbreak and described how cadaver dogs would be needed to recover Rory’s remains from the ashes before his death could officially be counted in the fire's toll. Rory’s loss is deeply felt not only by his mother but also by his beloved pet peacocks, Edgee and Mickie, and his worldwide community of friends, fans, and followers.

Rory lived an extraordinary life that spanned multiple roles: he was a child actor and model who performed in Kiddy Kapers and at the Sydney Opera House, a passionate online gamer, a philanthropist, and a public speaker.