A 64-year-old woman paid off the mortgage for her $1million home just weeks before the Los Angeles wildfires destroyed it.
Totress Beasley was one of thousands of Californians who had to evacuate their homes as the flames approached, and came back to find everything they owned destroyed.
‘I paid off my house December 17 2024 and lost it January 8 2025,’ the Pasadena native said on Facebook.
‘My house burnt down, but please believe with me, he gave it to me once and he can restore what I lost.’
Beasley told KTLA that amid the tragedy, she and and her son are struggling to find a place to stay because criminal landlords are jacking up rents to take advantage of the crisis.
Price gouging in the wake of a disaster is illegal in California.
‘I’ve been quoted maybe 5,000 [a month],’ Beasley said about a one bedroom apartment she asked about.
‘Some of my friends have talked to people and they said $6,000 plus and then one girl told somebody was charging $8,000.’
Beasley shared devastating footage of her home being destroyed by flames.
Totress Beasley, 64, paid off her mortgage just weeks before the Los Angeles fires destroyed it on January 8
Beasley’s home in Los Angeles is seen in flames amid the LA wildfires
A GoFundMe started by her son Aaron Miller has received over $27,000 of its $150,000 goal.
‘In just a moment, our lives were turned upside down as we lost not only our home but also the treasured memories and connections that defined us,’ Miller wrote.
‘I paid off my house December 17 and lost it January 8 2025,’ the Pasadena native said
‘The home was a sanctuary, a place where we worshipped, served our community, and welcomed friends and neighbors. It was where we shared meals, laughter, and love with those who walked through our doors.
‘Now, as I mourn that loss, I face the enormous task of reestablishing our lives from the ground up.’
Staggered after one of the most destructive natural disasters in Southern California history, thousands of heartbroken families, burned-out business owners and beleaguered leaders across Los Angeles County are beginning to ponder another monumental task: rebuilding what was lost and charting a path forward.
The traumatized region made it through Wednesday without another major fire breaking out, after forecasters had warned of another round of particularly dangerous winds.
Yet even with flames still leaping in two of the largest fires , which have killed 25 and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, government officials talked Wednesday of the epic job that will unspool over years: clearing Altadena, Pacific Palisades and other ravaged communities of toxic ash and debris, then rebuilding homes, restaurants, schools, boutiques, banks and houses of worship — all while finding financing for it all.
The home is seen after the fire was put out. A GoFundMe started by her son Aaron Miller has received over $27,000 of its $150,000 goal
The home is seen before it was destroyed. The fires have killed 25 and destroyed more than 12,000 structures
Because of the ongoing firefighting battle and the likelihood of dangerous refuse in burned areas, many anxious residents have yet to return to see what, if anything, is left of their homes. The losses range from multimillion-dollar ocean-view mansions to modest homes that once welcomed returning World War II GIs.
Meanwhile, nearly half of Californians hold governor Gavin Newsom responsible for the damage left by the wildfires.
According to new DailyMail.com/J.. Partners poll, 47 percent of Californians think the Democrat governor is a great deal responsible or somewhat responsible for the damage left by the flames.
President-elect Donald Trump was among those who blame Newsom, claiming his forest management policies and fish conservation efforts are to blame for fire hydrants running dry in some urban areas.
Californians also blame LA mayor Karen Bass for the situation, with 48 percent of them saying they think she is a great deal responsible or somewhat responsible.
