Allegations that “Storage Wars” star Darrell Sheets was being cyber-bullied continue to be investigated in the wake of his April 22 death, Lake Havasu Police said Tuesday.
Additionally, Sheets’ death has been officially ruled a suicide, said Lake Havasu Police Sergeant Kyle Ridgway. The 67-year-old reality TV star was found dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the Arizona town where he owned an antique business.
“Our agency continues to actively investigate allegations of cyberbullying associated with this case. The Criminal Investigations Unit has submitted Darrell Sheets’ cellular phone for forensic analysis and is currently awaiting the results,” said Lake Havasu police, “This investigative step is essential to advancing the case. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Police also said that although the death has been ruled a suicide, toxicology results are still pending.
Several people who appeared on the show, including Laura Dotson, told media that Sheets had been dealing with online harassment for at least three years. Dotson told US Magazine after his death, “He was terrified for his life [and] for the people around him. He didn’t know why he was being targeted.”
Sheets was a major figure on “Storage Wars” from 2010 to 2023, where he was known for making risky bids, and made appearances on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and on Raechel Ray’s show.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.