Authorities are investigating allegations of cyberbullying in connection with the death of “Storage Wars” star Darrell Sheets. Officials are working to determine whether online harassment may have played a role, as they continue to gather evidence and examine the circumstances surrounding the reality star’s death.
The news comes amid Sheets’ co-star, Rene Nezhoda, calling for accountability and condemning cyberbullying while mourning the loss of his friend.
Authorities Are Looking Into Darrell Sheets’ Death
Darrell Sheets died by suicide at 67 years old, and authorities are looking into the situation surrounding his passing. There have been allegations that Sheets was being bullied online, and that’s one aspect that the police are looking into.
Sgt. Kyle Ridgway released a statement to Entertainment Tonight, saying, “The Lake Havasu City Police Department is aware of the cyberbullying accusations and it is a part of the current active investigation.”
Sheets’ “Storage Wars” co-star and show rival, Rene Nezhoda, posted a video on social media mourning the loss of his friend and revealed that Sheets had, indeed, been bullied online. “He had a guy that was really, really tormenting him lately. Cyberbullying,” Nezhoda shared.
Photos of Sheets’ alleged post dated March 11 from an old social media account are also circulating. In the caption, he wrote, “Well people here is my cyber bully stalker just letting people know if anything happens to me this is him.” He also included a photo of the man and claimed he was “harassing” small businesses using Sheets’ name.
Rene Nezhoda And Darrell Sheets Were Friends
“Storage Wars” viewers may not be aware that Sheets and Nezhoda were good friends in real life. In the show, the two were rivals and had frequent confrontations as they went head-to-head bidding on storage lockers. However, Nezhoda said they didn’t “hate” each other, and their show antics were due to the fact that they were both fierce competitors.
“So deep down me and Darrell were friends. We talked every now and then. He was a very hard worker that cared more than anyone I’ve ever met,” Nezhoda said.
The “Storage Wars” star then said that just because they were on TV, it didn’t give anyone the right to bully them. “You never know what demons somebody faces and what they go through and what you might push them through. Darrell has been posting a lot about the guy that has been cyberbullying and torturing him and I really hope they look into that guy and that’s just not a pass. It’s not right, guys. Be better,” Nezhoda said.
Darrell Sheets Died From A Gunshot Wound
In the early morning hours of April 22, authorities were called to respond to a home in Lake Havasu, Arizona, where an individual was deceased. Officers observed that the male subject had a gunshot wound to the head, which seemed to have been self-inflicted. He was identified as Sheets, and pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheets was a staple on “Storage Wars,” appearing since the show’s debut in 2010 until he left in 2019 following a mild heart attack. He was nicknamed “The Gambler” and was known for bidding large sums of money on storage units simply based on his gut instincts. After retiring, Sheets moved to Arizona and ran an antique store called Havasu Show Me Your Junk.
Co-Stars Pay Tribute To The Reality Star
Apart from Nezhoda, other “Storage Wars” cast members paid tribute to Sheets. Brandi Passante took to Instagram to share photos of herself with Sheets, writing, “I’m at a loss for words! I’ve known Darrell Sheets for many years. I’m just so very sorry, to hear the circumstances of his passing.” She then went on to say that her “heart hurts” for Sheets’ family.
Dan Dotson, the show’s auctioneer, also posted a simple message on Instagram, writing, “RIP Darrell Sheets. You’re in our hearts and minds. The world is going to miss you brother.”
A&E, the network that airs “Storage Wars,” released a statement on Sheets’ untimely death. “We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our Storage Wars family, Darrell ‘The Gambler’ Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Darrell Sheets’ Final Facebook Post Floods With Condolences
Sheets shared parts of his life on social media, and his last post on Facebook, dated February 6, painted a happy picture. He shared a photo of himself smiling while seemingly out walking his dog, and the comments section was filled with condolences after his death was reported.
“Rest easy, Darrell. You were my favorite person in Storage Wars,” one user commented. Another said, “Rest in peace Gambler I’m so sad RN FR!!!” “Man, I’m so sorry Darrell. I wish you’d seen another way. May you RIP,” another user commented.