Shain Gandee, among the cast members of MTV’s controversial reality series Buckwild, was found dead this morning, just over 24 hours after he was reported missing. Gandee had last been heard from around 3 a.m. on Sunday, when he and his uncle David had told people at a local bar in Sissonville, West Virginia, that they planned on going “four-wheeling” later. After more than a day of family members being unable to contact them, both Shain and David Gandee and another, as-yet-unidentified man were all discovered dead in their vehicle. The official cause of their deaths has not been released.
MTV—which announced last month that it would be running a second season of Buckwild—has since seen the show’s cast members run afoul of various troubles, including the arrest of Salwa Amin just four days after the renewal announcement. Amin is still in jail, awaiting trial for felony possession of Oxycodone and heroin with intent to deliver. Recurring cast member Michael “Bluefoot” Burford was then arrested three days after that for aggravated DUI. MTV has not yet commented on the death of Shain, who was arguably the “wildest” of the Buckwild kids and was featured prominently in the show’s marketing campaign. UPDATE: MTV's statement is below.
MTV has issued this statement on Gandee's death: "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."
SECOND UPDATE: Production on the second season of Buckwild has been suspended indefinitely. It's unclear as yet whether MTV plans to continue with the show.