The Tragic Realities Faced by the Cast of Storage Wars

In 2011, Mark Balelo made an impression on the show “Storage Wars” with his swagger and flashy style, earning him the nickname “Rico Suave” from Brandi Passante. He provided a new competitor for the old-timers and seemed poised to become a regular on the show. Unfortunately, he only appeared in a few episodes. In 2012, it was reported that Balelo had violated the terms of his probation from a 2009 drug charge, resulting in a 45-day jail sentence. It was also reported that he had left his state of residence with a gun found in a storage unit. His then-girlfriend Elizabeth Metzidis defended him by saying he was very active in raising money for autism.

In February 2013, Balelo was arrested on a methamphetamine charge and days later he was found dead inside one of his vehicles. His death was ruled a suicide. A&E released a statement expressing their sadness and condolences to Balelo’s family, including his fiancé Elizabeth and his children.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).