Kimber Wuerfel thanked supporters as police continue an active investigation in Arizona.
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — Kimber Wuerfel, the former wife of “Storage Wars” star Darrell Sheets, broke her public silence Thursday after the reality TV personality was found dead April 22 at his home in Lake Havasu City, where police said an investigation remains active.
Wuerfel’s message came nearly two weeks after Sheets, 67, was identified by Lake Havasu City police as the person found at a residence in the 1500 block of Chandler Drive. Police have described the death as an apparent suicide and said the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office is reviewing the case. The investigation has drawn new attention because former castmates have said Sheets had complained about online harassment before his death.
“I haven’t had the words until now,” Wuerfel wrote Thursday on Instagram, posting the message with photos of the two together. She thanked people for “love, prayers, and condolences,” saying the support had meant more than she could say. Wuerfel wrote that Sheets gave family, friends and fans “so many moments of laughter, connection, and life,” and said memories of him would stay close to her heart. She also said the family would make an announcement later for people who wanted to take part in a service.
Police said officers were called at about 2 a.m. April 22 to a report of a deceased person. Sheets was pronounced dead at the scene, and the department’s Criminal Investigations Unit responded. His body was turned over to the medical examiner for further review. Authorities have not announced a final medical examiner’s ruling, and no charges had been filed as of Friday. Lake Havasu City police also said they were aware of claims that Sheets had been cyberbullied and that those claims are part of the active investigation.
Former “Storage Wars” castmate Rene Nezhoda said after Sheets’ death that someone had been “really, really tormenting him lately” online. Nezhoda urged investigators to review Sheets’ recent posts and said the two men were friends despite their on-screen rivalry. In a later interview, Nezhoda said Sheets had withdrawn from social media and had discussed claims of impersonation, messages, calls and websites tied to an unnamed person. Those claims have not been proven publicly, and police have not named a suspect.
Sheets was one of the most recognizable faces on A&E’s “Storage Wars,” a reality series about buyers bidding on the unknown contents of storage lockers. He appeared in 163 episodes after the show began in 2010 and became known as “The Gambler” for taking risks on lockers he believed held valuable items. The show often featured him with his son, Brandon Sheets. His best-known finds included artwork, collectibles and historic items that helped build his reputation as a bold bidder.
In recent years, Sheets had stepped away from the series and opened an antique shop in Arizona called Havasu Show Me Your Junk. People close to him also described a complicated personal life marked by family ties, health problems and public attention. Wuerfel, an Orange County real estate agent, had remained close to him after their marriage ended, according to public posts. Sheets also had a daughter, Tiffany Shane Sheets, and a granddaughter, Zoie, who appeared often on his social media.
A&E honored Sheets during an April 25 episode of “Storage Wars: Back to the Locker” with an in memoriam tribute. The network also issued a statement saying it was saddened by the death of a beloved member of the “Storage Wars” family. Other cast members, including Brandi Passante and Dave Hester, shared public tributes. Passante said her heart hurt for Brandon, Zoie and Kimber, while Hester spoke about the long bond among cast members who worked together for years.
The case remained open Friday, with police saying more information would be released as it becomes available. Wuerfel’s promised service announcement is the next public step for the family, while investigators and the medical examiner continue reviewing the facts around Sheets’ death.
Author note: Last updated May 1, 2026.