Top row, from left: Annette Rossilli, Erliene Kelley and Victor Shaw. Bottom row: Rodney Nickerson, Rory Callum Sykes and Randall “Randy” Miod.Luxe Homecare/Family photo/Eric Nickerson/Shelley Sykes/Carol SmithCNN —
An amputee and his son with cerebral palsy were among the 24 deaths in the fires raging around Los Angeles. The father was found at his son’s bedside.
One victim told a relative that he did not want to evacuate. He died trying to fight the blaze that consumed his home of more than 50 years.
Another victim, an 85-year-old woman, refused to leave her home as the fast-moving Palisades Fire approached, preferring instead to stay behind with her beloved pets. A former child star from Australia also was among those who died, as well as a Malibu resident and surfer who was called a “magnet for people.”
Eight of the 24 deaths appear related to the Palisades Fire near the Southern California coast, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Another 16 deaths have been attributed to the Eaton Fire, which raged east of Los Angeles.
The complete death toll won’t be clear until it’s safe for investigators to enter neighborhoods where there are downed power lines, gas leaks and other hazards, according to authorities.
Annette RossilliLuxe Homecare
Annette Rossilli, 85, insisted on staying in her Pacific Palisades home with her dog Greetly, her canary Pepper, her two parrots and her turtle, according to Luxe Homecare, the company that provided in-home care for her three days a week.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of several blazes, started Tuesday morning. Rossilli was encouraged to leave on Tuesday afternoon.
A caregiver later offered to pick Rossilli up even though it was her day off, Fay Vahdani, Luxe Homecare president, said Friday. Neighbors tried to convince her to evacuate but Rossilli refused to leave.
On Wednesday, firefighters found Rossilli’s body in her car, according to Vahdani and relatives of the victim.
Rossilli is survived by a daughter and a son. She ran a plumbing business in Pacific Palisades for many years with her late husband. She continued to live in the same home after his passing.
She was a kind, friendly and grateful person who had many friends in the community and will be deeply missed, according to Luxe Homecare.