A teenager, 17 years old, found motivation from a Storage Hunters-style TV program to purchase abandoned storage lockers. His family began taking his interest seriously when he acquired a unit for just over £300 and uncovered valuable artworks inside.
Michael Haskell, residing in New Jersey, USA, utilizes a self-developed computer program based on ChatGPT to pinpoint forgotten storage units possibly linked to notable personalities.
The turning point for his family was the revelation of a storage unit previously owned by disgraced New York art dealer Andrew Crispo.
Securing the contents of a Brooklyn unit for $450 (approximately £330), Michael sold the artworks discovered within, including a painting by surrealist pioneer Man Ray and drawings by Walt Kuhn, for an impressive $50,000 (almost £37,000).
“My hobby gained credibility after that,” Michael shared with the New York Times. Operating an eBay store called Mike’s Unique Treasures, he generates around $7,000 (just over £5,000) monthly from his discoveries.
Michael’s mother, Anna, highlighted his entrepreneurial spirit, recalling his ventures into book fairs and reselling books by the bag. She mentioned his transition to buying and reselling discontinued LEGOs before his interest in storage auctions was piqued by watching Storage Wars.
Michael often uncovers poignant narratives behind the abandoned lockers he acquires. One locker, previously owned by a New York socialite, was filled with designer dresses, accessories, empty vodka bottles, and divorce papers.
“I always try to unravel the stories behind the units,” Michael expressed. “Losing a locker often signifies financial instability and personal struggles. It can be quite a somber tale.”
The tale of Andrew Crispo, connected to Michael’s notable find, is notably tragic. Once a respected art dealer, Crispo’s involvement in a murder case, subsequent tax evasion conviction, and threats to kidnap a lawyer’s child led to his downfall. He passed away penniless in a Brooklyn nursing facility in 2024, enabling Michael to acquire the contents of his storage locker inexpensively.
“He met a tragic end,” Michael reflected. “His life serves as a cautionary tale on how not to live.”