Family of Three and Their Three Dogs Passed Away After Their Electricity Was Shut Off Over a $2,000 Bill

A family of three and their three dogs from North Carolina were found dead in their house a few days after they were disconnected from power due to an overdue amount of more than $2,000 for their utility bill.

The family: Tracey Swann, Kenny Swann, and their 20-year-old adopted daughter, Mahala Scurlock

The deaths have now raised concerns about the consequences of not having access to basic things like electricity when one is unable to pay for them. Tracey Swann, Kenny Swann, and their daughter of 20 years, Mahala Scurlock, were discovered dead in their Rocky Mount home as part of a welfare check.

Relatives interviewed by ABC11 said the electrical supply had already been cut off after the family fell $2,000 behind on their bills for several days. However, the family was not refusing to make payments; relatives tried to settle half the debt, around $1,000, but that apparently did not suffice. The city wanted to collect the full amount.

It hasn’t been determined precisely what caused the deaths of the entire family at this point in time; however, the investigators are also looking into whether or not a generator was operating inside the house, as a generator can give off carbon monoxide, a deadly gas with no smell or color.

The deaths have led to an increased focus on Rocky Mount’s water utility procedures, with Mayor Sandy Roberson stating that he has made it known to the city manager to review the practices for those making a “good-faith effort” to pay.

“… I have asked the City Manager to explore whether there are opportunities to provide greater flexibility in our utility payment policies for residents who are making a good-faith effort to pay their bills…,” Roberson said while clarifying that any such changes had to protect the utility system from misuse too.

But the fact that any such move was taken only after three people had already died makes the story important to be told. As it is evident from whatever the case investigation may conclude in the coming days, the facts leading up to this point paint a rather dark picture about how America treats basic necessities.

Electricity is not a luxury; it is a NECESSITY for survival. In America, essentials for life like water, food, and electricity are treated as money-making commodities. In an era of heatwaves and extensive climate change, having energy is simply the difference between life and death.