'Buckwild' star Shain Gandee found dead
- 21-year-old said to be one of three found dead
- Sheriff%27s department is investigating
- Series drew fire from West Virginians over portrayal of its residents
The body of Shain Gandee, 21, a cast member of the controversial MTV reality series Buckwild, which focuses on the lives of free-spirited young people in West Virginia, was one of three found in Kanawha County this morning, the county sheriff's office has confirmed.
Another body found at the scene is said to be Shain's uncle, David Gandee of Sissonville, W.Va. The identity of a third body has not yet been released.
The Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper, according to MTV News, confirmed that Gandee's body and two others were discovered dead in a wrecked vehicle in Sissonville. Gandee had been reported missing over the weekend.
Buckwild premiered in January, but not before some West Virginians including U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) asked MTV not to air it. After a trailer for the series went live on MTV's website Nov. 28, Manchin sent a letter to MTV asking it to cancel the series, which he says was "repulsive" and "plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia."
The 12-episode series, which began airing in January, showed nine young people partying, using firearms, driving recklessly and using a dump truck as a swimming pool. Its Feb. 7 finale drew 2.7 million viewers, and the series was renewed for a second season. Filming of the new season was already underway but has now been suspended.
"We are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident," the network said in a statement. "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."
Another cast member, Salwa Amin, 24, was arrested on three felony drug charges in February. She's being held at the Central Regional Jail in Sutton, W.Va., pending a hearing.
