BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) – A Hampton man has filed a lawsuit accusing a self storage company of throwing away his family heirlooms.

Michael Sliby said he rented a unit from North Hampton Self Storage two years ago to store items left to him by his parents and brother, including a medal awarded to his brother during the Vietnam War and the flags that covered the coffins of his brother and father during their funerals.

Sliby said he was told all of his property was thrown in a Dumpster because the company was unable to contact him and considered the unit abandoned. But he said he paid his bill in full less than a month before the items were destroyed.

“I’m angry and I’m sad. This wasn’t like a couple of bicycles. This is sentimental stuff for me,” said Sliby, 41. “I lost my dad when I was 5, my mother when I was 27 and my brother when I was 30. Everything I ever had of them is gone. They had no right to go in there.”

Sliby claims he has proof that he paid close to $3,000 over two years to store his property. He concedes he was late with some payments during that time, but insists his account was up to date before the property was discarded.

He also said the company had his telephone number, e-mail address and home address.

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