Storage Wars Suicide: Mark Balelo, Dead at 40
Mark Balelo, bold bidder, house auctioneer, and Storage War star, was found dead inside his garage, in what is now confirmed as suicide.
E! Online reports that the death of the A&E Storage Wars star was due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and that his car's motor was still running when he was found dead in his house in Simi Valley California.
An A&E representative told E! News in a statement: "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts are with Marks' family."
Balelo was known as Rico Suave in the series. During his stint in Storage Wars, Balelo was one of the auctioneers who aimed to sell off items in reclaimed storage units. He was known for the outrageous outfits that he would wear, according to The LA Times.
His death came just days after his arrest for possession of methamphetamine. The apparent suicide may have resulted from the arrest, as Balelo's fiancée was reported to have been called over, concerned that Balelo may hurt himself, according to Daily News.
It wasn't his first run-in with authorities, according to E! Online, as Balelo hs already been sentenced to spend 60 days in jail with three years of probation after pleading guilding in 2009 for transport of substances.
The name Mark Balelo is well-known in the liquidation industry. ABC reports that Balelo knows where to look to find a money maker.
One well-known case was when Balelo had helped Nicholas Cage in re-acquiring a rare Superman comic back, dating back to 1938. It was reported to be worth $1 million.
ABC reports that the copy was stolen from Cage's home 10 years ago.