“Storage Wars” Regular Mark Balelo found Dead. Authorities Suspect Suicide

Just two days after being arrested for possession of meth, Balelo’s body was found in the garage at his office. It appears the 40 year old reality star committed suicide by letting his car run in the enclosed garage resulting in death by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Balelo’s claim to fame was the reality show Storage Wars, where he appeared on several episodes.  He is most known for uncovering a stolen 1938 Superman comic book worth $1 Million dollars and returning it to its owner, who just happened to be the one and only Nicolas Cage.

Balelo’s recent arrest is not his first run in with the law.  In 2009 he was charged and convicted on drug charges; a conviction where he claimed simply to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  In what would be his last interview, Balelo offered an explanation for the 2009 incident to RadarOnline,

“Friends of mine were using a hotel room that was rented in my room. They were partying in there I didn’t do anything wrong. I wasn’t even there. It’s not a big deal”

The Portugal born Balelo was known on the show as Rico Suave because of his flamboyant clothes and the large amount of money he carried to each auction.

An official autopsy is scheduled to be completed this week.

UPDATE: According to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, the 40-year-old Balelo died of asphyxiation from carbon monoxide and exhaust fumes.

Here is a clip of Balelo aka Rico Suave doing what he loved.

Storage Wars” Regular Mark Balelo