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Father & Son in His Early 20s Among Eaton Fire Victims – Daughter Speaks Out

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A devastating wildfire fueled by strong winds has claimed the lives of at least 24 people, including a father and son, as it burned through more than 40,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles area.

Anthony Mitchell and his son, Justin, tragically lost their lives while trying to evacuate but were overtaken by the fast-moving flames. Their loss has left their family in deep grief.

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Anthony’s daughter, Hajime White, shared that her father had been waiting for an ambulance to help evacuate him and Justin from their home in Altadena, California, but it never arrived. According to authorities, Anthony was found next to Justin’s bed. Justin, who was in his early 20s and had cerebral palsy, was likely the reason Anthony stayed behind, as Hajime believes her father was trying to protect him.

“He was not going to leave his son behind. No matter what,” said Hajime, a doula from Warren, Arkansas. She described her 67-year-old father as a compassionate man. He was a retired salesman, an amputee, and relied on a wheelchair.

Hajime also recounted their final conversation on the day they were supposed to evacuate. “He told me, ‘Baby, I just want you to know a fire has broken out, and we’re going to need to evacuate.’ Then he said, ‘I have to go—the fire is in the yard,'” Hajime recalled.

Tragically, Anthony and Justin didn’t make it out. Anthony’s other son, Jordan, who is also in his 20s and lived with them, was in the hospital during the incident.

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Anthony Mitchell, from a post dated January 10, 2025 | Source: Facebook/hajime.white

Justin, who used a computer to communicate due to his disability, was Hajime’s half-brother. Both he and Anthony will be greatly missed by their large extended family.

Anthony, a father of four, had 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Known as “FaFa,” short for “far away,” by Hajime’s Arkansas-based family, Anthony had a special bond with his grandchildren, often giving them unique nicknames. “Strawberry Shortcake, Marshmallow, Bug – the list just went on,” Hajime recalled fondly.

This loss has deeply affected Hajime. She shared, “It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me.” At the moment, she is awaiting updates from her family in Los Angeles about when it will be safe for her to travel and begin planning the funeral for Justin and Anthony.

As reported on California’s official government website, the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst wildfires have scorched 40,300 acres, destroying numerous homes and structures in their path. The devastation has deeply affected many families and communities.

Currently, the Palisades fire is only 13 percent contained, while containment for the Eaton and Hurst fires has reached 27 and 89 percent, respectively. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, the death toll rose to 24 over the weekend, with eight fatalities attributed to the Palisades fire and 16 to the Eaton fire.

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A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Authorities expect the death toll to increase as search teams, assisted by cadaver dogs, meticulously comb through neighborhoods that have been destroyed. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that 12 individuals remain missing in the Eaton zone, while four others are unaccounted for in the Palisades area.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for critical fire conditions until January 15, with sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts in mountainous regions reaching up to 70 mph.

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Firefighters from Orem, Utah keep an eye on the Palisades Fire, along Mandeville Canyon in the Brentwood community of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

January 14 is anticipated to be the most dangerous day for the California wildfires, with strong winds likely to accelerate the spread of the blaze. To prepare, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone announced that 70 extra water trucks have been deployed to support firefighters in their efforts to control the fire.

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An LAFD Firefighter hosing a burning apartment complex from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

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