Double Tragedy in LA Fires: Amputee Father and Disabled Son Among Victims

A 67-year-old amputee father lost his life in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires after staying behind to wait for an ambulance for his disabled son, who also perished.

Anthony Mitchell and his son Justin, who was in his early 20s and suffered from cerebral palsy, were found together in Altadena, California. Mitchell’s family revealed that he had stayed behind to protect his son.

 

 

“They didn’t make it out,” said Mitchell’s daughter, Hajime White, in an interview with The Washington Post. White recounted her father’s last phone call on Wednesday morning when he informed her they were evacuating. Moments later, he told her, “I’ve got to go—the fire’s in the yard.”

White shared that her father, a retired salesman and a wheelchair user, was a devoted family man who cared deeply for his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. “He was not going to leave his son behind, no matter what,” she said.

Rising Death Toll

The death toll from the Los Angeles wildfires doubled to 10 overnight, with officials cautioning that uncovering the full scale of the devastation could take weeks. The LA County medical examiner reported that fire-related deaths are being investigated, but the process of identifying victims is slow due to the condition of the remains. Dental records and DNA are being used as traditional methods like fingerprinting are not feasible.

Other Named Victims

Three other victims have been identified so far.

• Victor Shaw, 66, died in the Eaton Fire. His sister, Shari Shaw, shared that he refused to evacuate due to his health conditions, including diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Shari recalled her desperate attempts to persuade him to leave, only to later find his charred remains next to a hose, indicating he tried to save his family home of 55 years.

• Rodney Nickerson, 82, lost his life in his Altadena home. According to his daughter, Kimiko Nickerson, Rodney believed he could ride out the disaster and had begun packing his car to prepare for evacuation.

• Another victim, an elderly grandmother, remains unidentified, with family members using social media to search for her after her home was destroyed.

Ongoing Challenges

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned that the death toll could rise as officials work through dangerous conditions, including spot fires and gas leaks, to retrieve bodies. "We’re working in a fluid and active environment, and safety is our priority," he stated.

Celebrity Losses

Several celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and Tina Knowles, have reported losing their homes in the fires.

Unprecedented Destruction

The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire have burned over 34,000 acres, making them the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history. The fires, consuming 53 square miles, have left a trail of destruction, grief, and uncertainty across the region.