It is my understanding that anything left in storage units becomes the property of the unit owner if payments are not made in a timely manner. If the payments are delinquent like unpaid property taxes the owner loses all rights to ownership. I think the storage operator is required to notify the renter of intentions to sell the property much like vehicles that are stored with unpaid storage/towing fees. There is usually a notice put in the local newspaper before vehicles are auctioned to recover storage/towing fees. The notice states that the owner has until a set time & date to claim ownership & pay the bill. After that time the owner is not entitled to take possession.
If the money was not stolen whoever paid the highest bid or paid an agreed on price has every right to ownership. I find it difficult to believe anybody would forget about the location of $7 million . I suspect this might be a publicity stunt to draw interest to the program.