The internet is in an uproar over a West Virginia influencer family following a series of shocking allegations. Now, one of the influencers is trying to shut down the rumor mill.
Dalton Joseph Memel, also known online as “Dalton Ain’t Worried,” and his wife, Sako, are known for posting about their relationship on social media. They also share one child.
Over time, they’ve collectively amassed millions of followers.
But in a video posted Aug. 8, Memel opened up about emotional challenges. He also spoke about his struggles with addiction, while holding back tears.
“Life’s said sometimes,” the caption says.
“There’s nothing that can prepare me for the sadness that I feel right now,” Memel said.
Memel also told the internet his mother had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
It appears he made the post in response to people pointing out that Sako had not been featured in a video since July, according to Memel’s Instagram.
In the last video Sako was featured in, Memel was dyeing his pond purple. Many people in the comments noted how she seemed disconnected as her partner ziplined across the pond, dumping dye into the water.
Internet Sleuths on the Case
The internet then dug up Memel’s arrest information from an incident earlier this year. According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, he had been charged in a domestic dispute case.
Arrest records revealed he was charged with two counts of domestic violence before being released on a $2,000 bond.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to the sheriff’s office to get the incident report but has not heard back.
Some people on social media assumed Sako was the complainant in the case, but that has not been confirmed.
Friends Speak Out
Another West Virginian content creator and friend, J.D. Belcher, who created the series “Creepalachia,” posted an update on the couple’s situation the next day.
“I have not spoken with Dalton since the video was released, but I have spoken with close connections in the area who would know, and as of late last night, according to a close family member, Dalton was OK. That’s all I know right now,” he wrote on Facebook.
Belcher did not mention where Sako is. He acknowledged how fame can be a double-edged sword.
“This life is a blessed one. But it is also isolating. To put in perspective what Dalton and Sako go through, everywhere they go, they probably take a dozen photos with folks,” he said. “Now listen, we asked for this. Their level of popularity is one that I wouldn’t be able to understand as well, but they are so appreciative of everyone when we’ve spoken about it.”
Breaking Silence
Memel finally broke his silence in a new video on Aug. 11, seemingly addressing every allegation made against him.
“I tell everybody my mother’s got cancer, she ain’t got long to live, and then I say I got something else going on in my life and I didn’t really speak on that,” Memel said in the new video. “And because I didn’t speak on that, some people now think I’m some kind of domestic violator and that I’m an abuser. All because people started doing some digging and they found out that I was a part of some DV issue back in February.”
Memel explained the alleged recent situation with Sako happened while they were drinking. He also alluded to family and friends being involved.
“That was one of them deals where me and Sako and our friends and family are kind of ornery, and we had a little bit too much to drink and s—t happened, and I wish it didn’t,” he said.
Memel also called out people online for making fun of him for opening up about tearfully opening up about his life.
“And then you got all the people making videos about me, making fun of me for crying, saying I staged the whole thing for views,” he said. He pointed out that the rumor mill was also claiming that he relapsed.
“To be honest with you, none of that really bothers me because it’s being said by a bunch of people who are nobodies and have nothing better to do with their lives than talk about me, and that’s kind of sad,” Memel said.
But when it came to addressing where things stood with his wife, Memel didn’t get into specifics.
“Me and Sako are two real people, and we got real human problems just like everybody else,” Memel said. “You’ll never hear me say a bad word about Sako. She is the mother of my child, my wife, and my best friend. And I love her to death, man. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.”
Sako has yet to publicly comment on the rumors.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to Sako and Memel for comment but has not heard back.
