The internet has been struck with sorrow following the discovery of the heartbreaking final words of a Hollywood actress found dead in her home amid the LA wildfires.
It’s been a harrowing week; for the past seven days, over 180,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the relentless wildfires tearing through LA. The infernos have consumed thousands of acres and have left a devastating path of destruction in their wake, obliterating numerous buildings and homes.
Tragically, at least 24 people have been confirmed dead due to these fires, with many others still missing or unaccounted for. In what Governor Gavin Newsom has labeled “one of the worst natural disasters in US history,” the fires continue their devastation with active blazes like Palisade, Easton, and Hurst still raging on.
Among those lost to the fire is Blues Brothers actress Dalyce Curry, who died amidst these tragic events. Curry, aged 95, had been hospitalized when the calamity began, with a fervent desire to return to the comfort of her home. Late on January 8, Curry and her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, made their way to her cottage on Krenze Street, arriving around midnight.
Even though they saw flames four miles away, Kelley reassured herself that there was no imminent danger. She recalls, “She gave me a big wet kiss and said, ‘I love you.’ I said, ‘I love you too,’ and ensured she was safe inside. Both of us were exhausted from the hospital day, so I didn’t feel an immediate threat without an evacuation order.” Kelley reminisces about her grandmother’s loving nature, sharing, “Sometimes her kisses were so wet you’d have to wipe them off a little. That’s who she was, just loving. We kissed goodbye, and I drove home, unaware it would be the last words we’d share.”
Kelley, living 25 miles away, woke later to receive the devastating news that the Eaton Fire had engulfed the neighborhood where her grandmother lived. Despite her attempts to contact emergency services, the overwhelming call volume prevented her from reaching anyone, prompting her to drive back in desperation, hoping beyond hope to find her grandmother safe.
“Later, I learned that the area had received an evacuation notice at 3:30 a.m. that morning, though Momma D was not one to keep a cell phone handy. It’s often a struggle for the elderly with technology, or sometimes they prefer not to use it,” explained Kelley.
As Kelley approached the disturbed area, the scene was chaotic and grim. “Everything was pitch black; it felt like being in h*ll,” she expressed. “A passerby shouted that his entire house was obliterated.” Another distraught driver cried, “The whole city is gone!” which left Kelley in utter disbelief.
Kelley recounted, “I was on the way to Pasadena when a reporter called me back and broke the news, ‘Ma’am, your grandmother’s house is completely gone.’ In desperate hope, I continued to the Arcadia Recreation Center, thinking perhaps someone had rescued her.”
Unfortunately, the diaspora and chaos offered little light. “I attempted to reach the home myself, but the National Guard halted me. However, one sympathized and guided me on foot through the scattered destruction,” Kelley explained. “The devastation was beyond comprehension—downed power lines and a landscape turned barren.”
On reaching the remnants of the home, Kelley found only ashes of nostalgia. “She adored that chair, often losing herself in sleep upon it, yet no trace remained. The gasoline fumes were overwhelming, forcing the Guard to usher me away.”
Two days later, the longing came to a sobering end with a Sunday evening call from the coroner. “My heart dropped when the caller ID confirmed the coroner’s office,” Kelley recalled, trembling at the next words, “Unfortunately, we found remains at your grandmother’s home.” Identifying traces were sparse, with officials revealing a partial skull and eyeglass frames among the ruins.
“In her vast 95 years, Momma D never underwent a CT scan, but curiously, one had been ordered just a day before the fires. It’s tragic to ponder how this would be the only means to confirm her identity.” Kelley expressed in bewildered grief, “Was this destined, God? Why did this transpire? Why didn’t we remain at the hospital? Her wish was to return home, find joy in her own haven.”
The late actress leaves behind a legacy of minor yet cherished roles in classic films such as The Blues Brothers and The Ten Commandments, leaving her mark on Hollywood history.
Her loved ones now mourn her loss, finding solace in memories of her bright spirit. May she rest in peace.
