Mark Balelo, an auction house owner featured on the A&E reality TV show "Storage Wars," was found dead on Feb. 11, The Ventura County Star reported. He was 40.
Balelo was one of the deep-pocketed buyers featured on the show that depicts storage-unit auctions. The former owner of a chain of thrift stores, Balelo had a knack for finding treasure among trash.
Nicknamed "Rico Suave" for his flamboyant style, Balelo once hosted a live auction right before Halloween while dressed as Superman. He discovered a "man purse" that contained $50,000. He also was instrumental in helping Nicolas Cage recover a mint-condition copy of a 1938 Action Comics book that was stolen from the actor's storage locker. The comic book was valued at $1 million.
Balelo owned Balelo Inc., a business that specializes in asset liquidations and closeout sales. He previously ran a gaming store called The Game Exchange.
Balelo was arrested over the weekend for alleged possession of a controlled substance, E! Online reported. He was reportedly distraught after being released from jail.
According to TMZ.com, one of Balelo's employees found his body inside the garage of his Simi Valley, Calif., home.
Armando Chavez, senior deputy medical examiner, refused to provide any information as to Balelo's cause of death, Reuters reported. An autopsy will be conducted on Feb. 12.
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