Amid the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles, a heart-wrenching story has emerged.
A 67-year-old amputee father, Anthony Mitchell, tragically lost his life while trying to protect his disabled son, Justin, who also died in the flames.
The two were found side by side in Altadena, California, after Anthony stayed behind to wait for an ambulance to help his son, who suffered from cerebral palsy.
A Father’s Love and Determination
Anthony’s daughter, Hajime White, shared the heart-wrenching details with The Washington Post, describing how her father called her the morning of the fire to say they were evacuating.
However, his call ended abruptly when the fire reached their yard.
“He was not going to leave his son behind, no matter what,” White recalled.
“It’s very hard. It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me.”
Anthony, a retired salesman who used a wheelchair, was deeply devoted to his family—his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Rising Death Toll in the Fires
The devastation continued to unfold as the death toll from the Los Angeles wildfires surged.
Authorities confirmed at least 10 deaths from the fires, with the true extent of the destruction still being uncovered.
The LA medical examiner’s office revealed that identifying victims would take time due to the charred remains and challenges accessing bodies in certain areas.
Dental records and DNA will be used to confirm identities, as traditional methods like fingerprinting are unavailable due to the severity of the damage.
Other Victims of the Fires
Among the identified victims was Victor Shaw, a 66-year-old man who stayed behind in the Eaton Fire area despite his sister’s plea for him to evacuate.
Victor, who suffered from diabetes and kidney disease, was found later by a family friend near the road, holding a hose in what appeared to be an attempt to protect his family home.
Rodney Nickerson, 82, another victim, had also chosen to stay behind, believing the fire would pass.
His daughter, Kimiko, explained that he was packing up but decided to stay, confident that the disaster would not reach them.
Tragically, he died in his home.
The Search for More Victims
As fire crews continue to battle the wildfires, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned that the death toll is expected to rise.
The search for victims is ongoing, but the situation remains dangerous with active fires and gas leaks complicating efforts to find those trapped in the blazes.
Celebrities Among the Lost
The wildfires have also claimed the homes of several high-profile individuals, including Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Tina Knowles, and more.
The fires, which have consumed more than 34,000 acres, have been described as some of the most destructive in the region’s history, particularly the Palisades Fire near Santa Monica and Malibu, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena.
Looking Ahead
As the situation continues to unfold, officials are urging patience from the public as they work to assess the full impact of the fires.
With ongoing challenges in accessing affected areas, the process of identifying victims and understanding the extent of the destruction will take time.