The star of MTV’s reality show “Buckwild,” has reportedly been found dead, along with two others in Sissonville, WV. Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper says police told him that one of the bodies found in a vehicle, is that of 21-year-old Shain Gandee, a member of the Buckwild cast.
Another body is reportedly his uncle, David Gandee. The third identity has not been released. Police say that family members have been notified, reported KDKA-TV Pittsburgh.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release that 21-year-old Shain Gandee and his uncle, 48-year-old David Gandee, were last seen around 3 a.m. Sunday at a bar in Sissonville.
Sheriff’s deputies issued a missing persons advisory for both of them early 4/1.
Family members spent most of Easter Sunday searching for the men before calling 911 to report them missing. They were last known to be driving Shain Gandee’s vehicle, a 1984 red and white Ford Bronco with oversized tires. TMZ reported that the Bronco might have been submerged in mud past the windows–the only logical explanation for the tragedy so far. The cast often went “mudding” on wilderness trails with their vehicles.
Foul play isn’t suspected.
A spokesperson for MTV said in a statement, “We are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident. We are waiting for more information but at this time, our main concern is for the Gandee family and their friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Shain had a magnetic personality, with a passion for life that touched everyone he met and we will miss him dearly.”
Reportedly. MTV is now focused on caring for the other members of the cast, crew and families with grief counseling set up on location. A decision on what to do next with the show likely won’t be made for a couple of weeks, said The Hollywood Reporter. Production has been suspended.
The MTV show was filmed largely around Sissonville and Charleston, WV.
