A Valley couple says a Phoenix storage facility auctioned off the contents of their paid unit without their knowledge, leaving them without irreplaceable family items, including cremated remains, heirlooms, and decades of personal keepsakes.
Dave Namesnik and Angel Langner say the loss has been devastating and are now seeking answers, legal help, and the possibility of recovering items they say can never truly be replaced.
Background
Namesnik and Langner say they rented a storage unit while staying at an extended-stay hotel, trusting the nearby facility to safeguard their belongings. The couple says the unit contained items collected over more than 20 years, including family photographs, military uniforms, children’s keepsakes, and ashes of loved ones.
Langner said the facility’s visible security features gave her confidence their property would remain safe.
Payment
According to documents shared with ABC15, the couple paid more than $500 on May 5 to bring their account current and remove a lien that could have led to an auction. Receipts and email records appear to show the payment was processed successfully.
Despite that payment, the couple says they later learned their unit had still been cleared and sold.
Discovery
On June 16, the couple says they received notice that their storage unit had been emptied. They immediately went to the facility to find out what happened.
Langner described waiting while an employee searched the system before telling them the unit had been sold at auction on June 13.
The couple says they were never notified that the auction would proceed after their account had been brought current.
Loss
Among the items the couple says were inside the unit:
- Ashes of Namesnik’s mother
- Ashes of several dogs the family considered companions
- Children’s baby teeth and early keepsakes
- An 80-year-old family portrait
- Military uniforms from the Korean War and Marine Corps service
Namesnik said some of the ashes were intended to be mixed with his own, according to his will.
While the couple is pursuing an insurance claim capped at $2,000, they say the monetary value does not reflect the emotional loss.
Police Report
Phoenix Police confirm that a report has been taken regarding the incident. No further details have been released, and it is unclear whether the case will involve criminal or civil action.
Company Response
Storage King USA, which operates the facility, provided a statement to ABC15 acknowledging the situation.
The company said it is taking the matter seriously, that a full investigation is underway, and that it is cooperating with appropriate parties.
When asked whether an error occurred, whether the auction buyer could be contacted, or whether reimbursement might be offered, a spokesperson said the company could not comment on specifics due to the ongoing investigation.
Next Steps
The couple says they are now searching for an attorney and hoping the buyer who purchased the auctioned items may come forward, especially if they discover urns or identifiable family belongings.
They say their focus is not on replacing items, but on recovering what cannot be replaced.
Community Appeal
Namesnik and Langner are asking anyone who may have purchased items from a storage auction around June 13 in Phoenix to check what they received and contact authorities or the media if they find personal or memorial items.
They say even partial recovery would mean a great deal.
FAQs
Where did the incident occur?
At a Phoenix-area Storage King USA facility.
Did the couple pay their storage bill?
They say they paid more than $500 to clear the account.
When was the unit auctioned?
The couple was told it sold at auction on June 13.
Are police involved?
Yes, Phoenix Police confirmed a report was taken.
Is the company investigating?
Yes, Storage King USA says an investigation is ongoing.
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