Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
In the early hours of yesterday morning (22 April), Darrell Sheets was found dead at his home in Arizona, US.
Lake Havasu City Police Department said that the Storage Wars star appeared to have died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. He was 67-years-old.
"The male was pronounced deceased on scene and the Lake Havasu City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene to assume the investigation,” the department said in a release.
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Now, his former co-star, René Nezhoda, has slammed a 'cyberbully' who allegedly 'tormented' Sheets.
He took to Instagram to share a video, reflecting on their friendship and clarifying that their rivalry on the reality TV show didn't resemble their real-life bond.
“This was not an easy video to shoot. Unfortunately, Darrell Sheets took his own life. So he passed away,” Nezhoda said.
“I know a lot of you guys think we hated each other because we competed a lot on the show. And you know, we had our moments. We had our run-ins because we were both competitors, right?
"We were both competitors with the biggest threat out there.”
'He had a guy really tormenting him lately'
He said 'deep down' the pair 'were friends' before claiming: "Rest in peace Darrell Sheets. Also I know Darrell would want something positive out of this, so he had a guy that [was] really really tormenting him lately. Cyberbullying."
Nezhoda added that just because people watched them on Storage Wars, doesn't mean they 'know' the stars.
"It doesn’t mean you know what we’re about," he continued. "Also, it doesn’t entitle you to bully somebody. That’s not [just] us, that’s anybody. That’s any athlete. You shouldn’t cyberbully at all.
“As a matter of fact, if you have somebody in your life that thinks it’s funny to cyberbully other people, may that be a celebrity, athlete or little girl at school… slap ’em in the back of the head. Make them become a better human being.”
'You never know what demons somebody faces'
Nezhoda encouraged authorities to investigate the claims as he concluded: "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 just not right guys. Be better.”
Police are said to be investigating the claims that Sheets was 'tormented' by a cyberbully before his death.
Sergeant Kyle Ridgway, public information officer for the Lake Havasu City Police Department in Arizona, told Page Six: “We are aware of these cyberbullying accusations and that is a part of the active investigation.”
Sheets retired from Storage Wars back in 2023, opening his own antique shop in Arizona, called Havasu Show Me Your Junk.
A spokesperson for A&E said in a statement: "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."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
Topics: Mental Health, Celebrity News, TV and Film
Jess Battison