Star of MTV's 'Buckwild' Reportedly Found Dead Along With 2 Others

This Jan. 2, 2013 file photo shows Shain Gandee, from MTV's "Buckwild" reality series in New York. (Photo: AP)

Shain Gandee, one of the stars of the MTV show "Buckwild," has been found dead along with two others in Kanawha County, West Virginia, authorities said Monday.  He was 21 years old.

"We are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident," MTV 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."

Gandee was last seen at around 3 a.m. Sunday at a bar in Sissonville, where he and his uncle told patrons they were going off-roading in an undefined area.  After a day-long manhunt on Sunday, he and two others were found dead in a Ford Bronco on Monday.  Fox News described the area as "muddy and difficult to reach."

Kanawha County Commission Cpl. B.D. Humphreys said the body of Gandee's uncle, 48-year-old David Gandee, was also in the vehicle.  The third body has not yet been identified, but ABC8/WCHS reports it may have belonged to a family friend.

Details are scarce, though foul play is not suspected at this time. When pressed, Humphreys said "The medical examiner's office will determine the cause of death and they will release that information."

WPIX-New York has more on the story:

"Buckwild" premiered in January, and has already made an impact on MTV programming.  Though it was called a "travesty" by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin for "[preying] on young people [and coaxing] them into shameful behavior," the network recently renewed the show for a second season and says Gandee was a fan favorite.

CNN describes the program:

The show follows a group of young adults trying to have fun in Sissonville, West Virginia, pulling stunts like turning a dump truck into a swimming pool or just riding around the woods on their all-terrain vehicles. Gandee was billed as a former high school prom king who had done "every job from coal mining to being a garbage man."

Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper commented: "This is a very sad and tragic event...We live in a very small community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gandee family."

​This post will be updated as more information becomes available.