Trigger warning: this article contains references to suicide, which some individuals may find distressing.
The cast, crew, and fans of Storage Wars are in mourning after the unexpected death of original cast member Darrell Sheets. He was found dead earlier this week from what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An old social media post of the reality star detailing his deep depression resurfaced after his death. Keep reading to find out what he had to say about battling the Devil.
Storage Wars Star Found Dead From Apparent Suicide
Darrell Sheets was an original cast member on Storage Wars. He spent years rummaging through storage units for prized possessions. He earned the nickname “The Gambler” due to his high-stakes bids, many of which turned out to be successful.
Darrell Sheets left the show in 2023 amid a series of health issues, including a heart attack in 2019. He retired to Arizona, where he owned the Havasu Show Me Your Junk antique shop. In fact, a fan took a photo with the Storage Wars alum hours before he was found dead.
Multiple outlets reported that the reality star was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The news was a shock, but looking back at his admissions about depression, it’s not so surprising after all.
Darrell Sheets Detailed Depression Before Taking Own Life
Darrell Sheets had been dealing with depression for a long time before taking his own life. An Instagram post from 2018 resurfaced in the wake of his death. The Storage Wars shared a vulnerable look at battling depression.
“Depression is the Devil’s way of attacking us. It knows no mercy, it takes our smiles, it comes and goes, it ruins our relationships, it takes away our happiness, it leads to suicide in some cases, it destroys all thoughts of positivity, it is a 24/7 battle and allows no rest for the suffering. It’s a very real deal. So please next time someone tells you they have Depression, be kind and know that they spend every minute they have breathing, suffering !!! #storagewars #trustmeiknow” – Darrell Sheets, Instagram.
Cyber-Bullying Another Factor In Death?
Many current and former Storage Wars cast members paid tribute to their late co-star. Brandi Passante shared a heartbreaking tribute to her friend. René Nezhoda and Darrell Sheets often butted heads on the reality show. However, they were friends when the cameras went down.
René Nezhoda made a shocking allegation while paying tribute to his friend and co-star. He claimed that Darrell Sheets was the victim of cyber-bullying by the same person for years. The Storage Wars star encouraged the police to look into whether that played a role in his death.
Storage Wars plans to honor Darrell Sheets on Saturday’s episode with an on-screen tribute. A&E also plans to air a marathon of old episodes featuring “The Gambler.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
