'Storage Wars' Auctioneer Mark Balelo Dies in Apparent Suicide
by Shannon Keirnan
Sad news for “Storage Wars” today.
Mark Balelo, a regular on the show, was found dead Monday at his auction house in Simi Valley, California.
While few details are being released on the manner of his death, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office said that Balelo was found dead in his car, with the motor running. An autopsy is to be completed today to determine whether it was a suicide, or some other means that killed 40-year-old Balelo.
It is believed, however, at this time, that the death was caused by the carbon monoxide poisoning.
Last Saturday, Balelo was arrested for alleged possession of and appearing under the influence of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. He was scheduled to appear in court February 19th.
Balelo is probably best known for an incident in 2011, when he helped reunite “Ghost Rider” actor Nicolas Cage with a comic book that was stolen from him… ten years after the theft.
The extremely rare comic book—the first ever of the Superman series produced in 1938—was stolen from the actor’s Los Angeles home. Valued at $1 million, it resurfaced in a storage locker in San Fernando Valley ten years later.
Balelo helped to authenticate the find and return it to Cage.
Balelo earned himself the nickname “Rico Suave” for his smooth maneuvers and slick attitude on the A&E show. He was born in Portugal, and lived in Brazil until the age of 14.
Sincerest sympathies to those close to Balelo.