Investigators from the Seaview Gardens police are examining the possibility that a 65-year-old man who reportedly committed suicide a few weeks ago was driven to the act because of a $185,000 utility bill.

The body of Phillip Blackwood was found hanging inside his bedroom on January 26 by residents who became concerned after they had not seen him for a while. Reports are that the residents called his cellular phone but it went unanswered, and when they visited his home they heard it ringing inside. When they gained entry to his home his body was found.

According to the police, the utility company was carrying out an exercise in the community to regulate illegal connections and had issued bills to several residents.

Residents reportedly spread the word that if the bills were not paid persons would be sent to jail.

The police say they received reports that Blackwood said he was not able to pay the money he owed and would most likely be jailed. It is alleged that he said this over and over to residents of the area.

The police said several bills were found on the deceased man's bed and a cryptic note which read: 'I have found myself on the wrong side of things' was scribbled on the back of the $185,000 bill.

Blackwood, the police said, lived alone as his wife and children were overseas.