New details have emerged regarding the tragic death of Darrell Sheets, a well-known figure from the reality television show Storage Wars. Authorities have released bodycam footage and audio from a 911 call placed by his girlfriend following the incident on April 22. Sheets, aged 67, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
911 Call and Girlfriend’s Account
In the harrowing 911 call, Sheets’ girlfriend, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, reported hearing a gunshot. “I think he just killed himself… I just heard a gun go off,” she told the dispatcher for the Lake Havasu City Police Department. When prompted by the operator, she stated she “didn’t want to look.” She explained that Sheets was in his home office while she was in the garage at the time of the incident. The girlfriend expressed disbelief, saying, “I can’t believe it.”
She indicated that Darrell Sheets had not previously expressed suicidal intentions but had been experiencing significant stress. According to her account, he was struggling with a “lack of sleep” and “family troubles,” describing the situation as “terrible, terrible s***.” She also mentioned seeing flashing lights on the horizon, signaling the arrival of first responders.
First Responders’ Observations
Bodycam footage obtained by news outlets shows first responders approaching the scene with caution. They noted that Sheets was still holding the firearm used in the incident. Due to the potential for rigor mortis, they were concerned that his finger might inadvertently press the trigger. One of the responding officers recognized Sheets from his television career, acknowledging his role on Storage Wars alongside his son, who were known for acquiring storage units featured on the program.
Suicide Note and Allegations of Cyberbullying
An incident report filed by authorities revealed that Sheets left behind a suicide note. The note reportedly referenced cyberbullying he had been experiencing. “I could not take anymore the Facebook bullying, f*** you [redacted],” the note stated, according to the report. Prosecutors have reportedly declined to file charges related to the alleged bullying. The Lake Havasu City Attorney’s Office indicated that further investigation was not possible following Sheets’ death, as he could not provide additional details about the claims.
The report also stated that Sheets had told his girlfriend to “go back to bed” shortly before she heard the gunshot. His girlfriend informed investigators that Sheets had been suffering from insomnia in the months leading up to his death, with stress often preventing him from sleeping.
Darrell Sheets’ Career and Past Struggles
Darrell Sheets was a prominent cast member on Storage Wars, appearing in 163 episodes between 2010 and 2023 on the A&E network. His on-screen persona often highlighted his business acumen and notable finds, including the discovery of four Picassos and a valuable comic book collection through storage auctions.
In addition to his television work, Sheets operated a shop named “Havasu Show Me Your Junk” in Arizona. He had previously experienced a heart attack in 2019. Sheets had also been open about his past struggles with depression. In a candid Instagram post from June 2018, he described depression as a severe battle, referring to it as “the Devil’s way of attacking us.” He wrote about its devastating impact, noting how it “takes our smiles,” “ruins our relationships,” “takes away our happiness,” and in some cases, “leads to suicide.” He emphasized that it is a “24/7 battle” that offers “no rest for the suffering” and urged others to be kind and understanding towards those experiencing depression, recognizing the constant internal struggle they face.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. Online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.
