Michigan: Man Freezes to Death over Unpaid Bill

AP: Freezing Death of Mich. Man in House Sparks Anger

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) -- When neighbors went inside Marvin Schur's house, the windows were frosted over, icicles hung from a faucet, and the 93-year-old World War II veteran lay dead on the bedroom floor in a winter jacket over four layers of clothing.

He froze to death -- slowly and painfully, authorities say -- days after the electric company installed a power-limiting device because of more than $1,000 in unpaid bills.
...
City Electric Light & Power did not contact Schur face-to-face to notify him of the device and explain how it works, instead following its usual policy by leaving a note on the door. But neighbors said Schur rarely, if ever, left the house in the cold.

"I think the utility's policies are horrible and insane," he added. "For 50 years he paid the bill on a regular basis and never had problems. If people would know who their customers are and take concern for their customers, maybe they'd go knock on the door and see if everything is OK."
...
One blogger noted that even a pet owner who leaves his dog outside to freeze can face charges.
...
"I've said this before and some of my colleagues have said this: Neighbors need to keep an eye on neighbors," Belleman said. "When they think there's something wrong, they should contact the appropriate agency or city department."

3rd Economy Related Mass Murder in S. California

Neighbors attend a community meeting in Wilmington, Calif, after finding out about the death of a family in their neighborhood.

In Los Angeles' third family mass murder in six months, a man distraught over job problems shot dead his wife and five young children before turning the gun on himself.

BBC: In the fax sent to KABC-TV, the man allegedly claimed he and his wife had been fired from jobs as medical technicians and she suggested they kill their children and themselves.

"Why leave the children to a stranger?" the man wrote, according to KABC.

"We have no job and five children under eight years old with no place to go. So here we are," the fax continued.

"Oh lord, my God, is there no hope for a widow's son?" it concluded.
...
"Unfortunately, this has become an all too common story in the last few months but that does not, and should not, lead people to resort to extreme measures. Help is available. Resources exist," the mayor (of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigrosa) said.

Did anyone ask the fair Mayor WHAT help exactly does the City, State or Country provide to a man and woman who loses their jobs (both at my and can't provide a home, food or basic dignity? WHAT? In the Empire you lose your job with your wife and you are out on your ass. With 5 kids you are basically f'd - having to give the children up or living on the streets or a shelters if they are lucky?

UPDATE: The LA Times is reporting that the husband (Lupoe) and his wife (Ana) recently were fired from their hospital jobs after being investigated for lying about their income to qualify for cheaper child care.

I did not think the story could get more depressing. I was wrong.