Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Shain Gandee, one of the stars of MTV's "Buckwild," has died. He was 21 years old.

The Kanawha County commissioner confirmed to MTV News that Gandee's body was discovered in a vehicle along with two others in Sissonville, West Virginia, on Monday (April 1) morning. Gandee had been reported missing this weekend, having last been seen with his uncle David Gandee around 3 a.m. Sunday morning, when they told patrons at a bar that they were going off-roading in Shain's Ford Bronco.

Police have identified a second body inside the vehicle as David Gandee's, while a third victim remains unidentified. According to local reports, officers with the sheriff's department were using all-terrain vehicles to access the area where the vehicle was discovered, roughly a mile up a dirt road near Wolf Pen Drive in Sissonville. Details of the cause of death were not known at press time, though authorities say foul play was not suspected.

Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper confirmed to MTV News that Shain's body was found Monday morning after three "code blacks" were called in; code black refers to fatalities. "It's a very sad day for this county," Carper said. "This is a small place and just about everyone in this community knows everybody."

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."

Shain Gandee was one of the most popular cast members on "Buckwild," earning the nickname "Gandee Candy" for his wild stunts and sunny disposition. A second season of the show had recently been given the green light.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

WOW. Sad. They say foul play wasnt suspected. I wonder if it was a bad batch of drugs or something like that.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Wow~so young. What a shame.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

I just read this too. I wonder what happened.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

So so sad. He seemed so full of life.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Salwa on that show ended up being busted for heroin the other day too. I wonder..

Horrible

Some hinting at carbon monoxide poisoning

Message edited 4/1/2013 3:03:24 PM.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

I just read carbon monoxide poisioning from mudding. I dunno, something isn't adding up.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

I just read possible carbon monoxide too. But something seems off.

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

So young, so sad.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

So sad- he was my favorite on that show

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Never watched the show but that's horrible. Way too young!

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

nothing fishy about what happened. He was with his uncle and another adult. If his tailpipe was covered in mud (which you can see in the pics the mud seems to go most of the way up the windows) and they couldn't get out...carbon monoxide poisoning would undoubtedly seep into the interior and cause death.

ETA: here's the pic of the truck


Mud is all the way up the window. looks like they couldn't get out, especially if maybe they were knocked unconcious on impact...and you can't just shut off the car or you risk killing the engine because the intake will pull in mud (they probably thought they could get the car out in time otherwise I doubt they'd save the car over themselves)

That's why true off-roading vehicles have an extension pipe that goes to about mid window height to avoid that. It's called a snorkel

Message edited 4/1/2013 8:54:47 PM.

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

so so sad,he was so young

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

this is soo sad

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

Never watched the show, but thats so sad :(

Re: Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

omg. so sad. I loved this kid of the show.

Shain Gandee, Star Of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Dead At 21

That is so sad :( he was a funny kid on the show.