The recent Los Angeles wildfires have been labeled among the most devastating in US history, claiming the lives of 25 individuals.
Among the victims was Dalyce Curry, a Blues Brothers extra, whose family announced her passing over the weekend (January 12) due to the LA wildfires.
Dalyce Kelley, Curry’s granddaughter, shared the sad news on Facebook, stating that her grandmother’s remains were discovered just before 6pm local time on Sunday.
On social media, she expressed: “We had a great run. She impacted my life in so many ways. This loss is devastating.”
In an interview with the DailyMail, Kelley shared her 95-year-old grandmother’s final words and recounted the chaotic search for her after the fires reached her residence.
On January 8, shortly after midnight, Kelley and Curry arrived at Curry’s home on Krenz Street, aware of the nearby fires as they could see smoke approximately four miles away.
They were reportedly unconcerned initially, thinking the fire was too distant to threaten the home, and no evacuation order was in place.
After a hospital visit, Kelley mentioned that her grandmother simply wished to rest in her own bed.
Recounting their last interaction, Kelley stated: “She gave me a big wet kiss and she said I love you.
“I said, ‘I love you too’ and I made sure that she was safe inside. We were both so tired from the day at the hospital. I didn’t feel like she was in imminent danger because there was no evacuation order at that point.
“Sometimes her kisses were too wet that you have to wipe it off a little bit. That’s who she was. Just loving. We kissed, said goodbye and I drove back to my home. That was the last thing we said to one another.”
Kelley received a call hours later with the terrifying update that the Eaton Fire had expanded, engulfing several blocks of Altadena.
Living 25 miles away, Kelley attempted to drive to her grandmother’s location.
Upon arriving in Altadena around 5:30 a.m., she found police had erected barriers around the area.
She recounted: “It was all black and I just panicked because I felt like I was in hell.
“A man passed me by and yelled that his whole house had burned down.”
Kelley provided her details and her grandmother’s address to an officer, who later informed her that Curry’s house was completely destroyed.
She finally managed to visit her grandmother’s home a few days later, only to find the entire site in ruins, still holding onto hope that her grandmother had been evacuated.
On Sunday, county Medical Examiner officials contacted Kelley, confirming that her grandmother’s remains had been located at her home.