MTV’s ‘Buckwild’ star Shain Gandee dead at 21
There’s some sad news breaking out of West Virginia this morning. Shain Gandee, one of the most-popular cast members of the MTV reality series “Buckwild,” was found dead this morning inside of a vehicle in Sissonville along with two other people. He was 21 years old.
Sadly, there is not much else in the way of news available at this time. Shain was reported missing earlier in the day, after being last heard from around 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, where he claimed that he and his uncle David were going to spend part of Easter Sunday doing something in 4-wheeling that he professed his love for time and time again on the show.
When “Buckwild” first premiered, Shain’s backwoods behavior was viewed as one of the show’s primary selling points, as he claimed to not have a phone and he would literally engage in the practice of “hollering” at his neighbors from outside whenever he needed something. The show was billed to be the next “Jersey Shore”-type phenomenon for the network, and while the ratings never took off to that level, they were strong enough to earn a second-season renewal.
While MTV has yet to issue a statement, “Jersey Shore’s” Deena Cortese, another face of the network, had the following to say on Twitter:
“My thoughts n prayers go out to the cast of #Buckwild and Shains friends n fam..I send my condolences #PrayForGandeeFamily.”
It’s unclear whether or not the network will continue to air new “Buckwild” episodes moving forward, but for the time being that seems to be the least concerning thing out there.
We will have more news on this tragic story as it breaks. For now, thoughts and support go out to his loved ones in their time of need.
Update: MTV has released the following 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.”
Photo: MTV