In a heart-wrenching turn of events, three members of the Reyes family in Savannah, Georgia, lost their lives in what authorities believe to be a case of carbon monoxide poisoning. The victims, identified as 41-year-old Arbelio Reyes, 39-year-old Febiola Setina, and their 13-year-old son, Oswaldo Reyes, were found dead inside their home on Blossom Drive on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. This devastating incident occurred amidst the widespread power outages caused by the destructive passage of Hurricane Helene, which left thousands of homes without electricity across the region.
According to initial reports from the Chatham County Coroner’s Office, the family’s deaths are suspected to have been caused by a portable gas generator they were using inside their home. With power outages persisting for days after the hurricane’s landfall, many residents, including the Reyes family, were forced to find alternative sources of electricity. Unfortunately, it appears the Reyes family had placed the generator inside their home, leading to a buildup of carbon monoxide, a dangerous, odorless, and invisible gas that can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities.
The Incident and Discovery The Reyes family was discovered lifeless in their home on Tuesday morning by neighbors who had grown concerned after not seeing any activity from the house for over 24 hours. A neighbor had spoken to Febiola briefly the previous day, when she mentioned that their generator was helping them cope with the ongoing power outage. However, when the house remained eerily quiet and unresponsive the following day, another neighbor knocked on the door, receiving no answer. Fearing the worst, the neighbor contacted local authorities for a welfare check.
Savannah Police officers arrived at the Blossom Drive residence shortly after, entering the home to find all three family members unresponsive. Paramedics were called to the scene, but it was too late—the coroner later confirmed that Arbelio, Febiola, and young Oswaldo had all succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas had likely accumulated throughout the home as the generator ran overnight, silently asphyxiating the family as they slept.
The tragic incident has left the local community in shock, with friends, family members, and neighbors grappling with the sudden and preventable loss of life. Authorities and safety experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of using portable generators properly, but this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the lethal dangers posed by improper generator use during disasters like Hurricane Helene.
Remembering the Victims: A Family’s Story The Reyes family was a beloved part of the Savannah community, known for their kindness, hard work, and close family bond. Arbelio, the patriarch, was a skilled handyman who took pride in his work and in providing for his family. He was known for his willingness to lend a hand to neighbors in need, often fixing things around the community without expecting anything in return. His wife, Febiola, was equally dedicated to her family and worked part-time at a local grocery store. She was described by friends and neighbors as a loving, warm-hearted woman who always made time for her son’s activities and was an active participant in the local school community.
Their son, Oswaldo, was a bright, energetic 13-year-old who excelled both academically and athletically. A student at a nearby middle school, Oswaldo was a straight-A student and an honor roll recipient who had dreams of one day becoming a doctor. His teachers and classmates remember him as a focused, driven young man who was always eager to learn and help others. Oswaldo also loved soccer and played on his school’s team, where he was known for his speed and agility as a forward. His coach, still reeling from the news, described him as “a rising star” on the field and someone who always put in the effort to improve his game.
The sudden and tragic loss of the Reyes family has left a gaping hole in the community. Neighbors have rallied to support surviving family members and loved ones, organizing memorial services and setting up crowdfunding efforts to assist with funeral expenses. Social media has been flooded with messages of condolence, with many friends and acquaintances sharing stories of how the Reyes family had touched their lives.
The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide’s Deadly Impact Carbon monoxide poisoning is a well-documented but often misunderstood danger, particularly during times of crisis when people turn to alternative sources of power. The gas is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel from sources like portable generators, gas-powered appliances, or even car engines. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it nearly impossible for people to detect without the aid of a carbon monoxide detector.
When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood, displacing oxygen and preventing vital organs from receiving the oxygen they need to function. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can resemble flu-like symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If exposure continues, victims can lose consciousness and ultimately die without ever realizing they are in danger.
In the case of the Reyes family, investigators believe the generator had been running inside their home overnight, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate to deadly levels while the family slept. Without proper ventilation, the gas had nowhere to escape, leading to the family’s tragic demise.
According to safety guidelines issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, portable generators should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages or basements. Generators should always be placed at least 20 feet away from any building, with the exhaust directed away from windows and doors to prevent the gas from entering living spaces. Additionally, homes should be equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors, which can alert residents to the presence of the gas before it reaches dangerous levels.
Hurricane Helene and the Widespread Power Outages The power outages that plagued Savannah and other parts of Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Helene were a direct result of the storm’s ferocious winds and heavy rain. Helene made landfall on the southeastern coast of the United States on September 29, 2024, as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing sustained winds of up to 110 miles per hour and causing widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure. Power lines were downed across the region, leaving tens of thousands of residents without electricity for days.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, many residents turned to alternative power sources like portable generators to keep their homes running. Unfortunately, many were unaware of the dangers associated with using generators indoors or in poorly ventilated areas. The Reyes family was among those who likely struggled to cope with the extended power outage, and in their attempt to maintain some semblance of normalcy during the crisis, they unknowingly exposed themselves to lethal carbon monoxide.
A Wake-Up Call for the Community In the wake of this tragedy, local officials and safety advocates are once again urging residents to take generator safety seriously. Savannah’s Mayor Eddie DeLoach expressed his condolences to the Reyes family’s surviving relatives and issued a statement reminding the public to follow safety guidelines when using generators. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Arbelio, Febiola, and Oswaldo Reyes,” Mayor DeLoach said. “This devastating loss serves as a painful reminder that safety must always come first, especially during times of crisis.”
The Savannah Fire Department and the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency have also launched an awareness campaign to educate residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of using generators safely. In addition, the city has partnered with local retailers to offer discounts on carbon monoxide detectors, hoping to encourage more households to install these life-saving devices.
The Long Road Ahead As the investigation into the Reyes family’s deaths continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of three beloved individuals whose lives were cut short far too soon. The impact of their deaths will be felt for years to come, not only by their surviving family members but by everyone who knew and loved them.
Funeral services for the Reyes family are being planned by surviving relatives, and the local community has already begun raising funds to help cover the costs. The memory of Arbelio, Febiola, and Oswaldo will live on in the hearts of those they touched, and their tragic story will hopefully serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and safety during times of crisis.
