MTV'S Buckwild CANCELLED in wake of Shain Gandee''s Death

MTV announceed 'Buckwild' has been cancelled

MTV announced this week that hit show 'Buckwild' has been cancelled following the tragic death of star Shain Gandee. On April 1st Gandee, his uncle and friend were found dead in his 1984 Bronco after experiencing vehicle problems while four-wheeling. An autopsy revealed the trio died of carbon monoxide poisoning, most likely a result of the truck's muffler becoming submerged in mud. 

"After careful consideration, MTV will not be moving forward with season two of “BUCKWILD” in West Virginia. We love the cast and the show and this was not an easy decision, but given Shain’s tragic passing and essential presence on the show, we felt it was not appropriate to continue without him. Instead, we are working on a meaningful way to pay tribute to his memory on our air and privately." the network released in the statement. MTV had began filming for season two in the weeks before Gandee's death.

"I’m relieved and happy the show is cancelled, and so is everyone around here." West Virginia mayor Danny Jones said in a statement to TMZ.  "The show does nothing for us and exaggerates every negative stereotype about us." Both Jones and WV Senatore Joe Manchin have openly expressed their displeasure with the series since it's debut. Claiming it glamorizes underage drinking and shows the state in an unflattering, country-bumpkin'esque light, the lawmakers have petitioned to have filming shut down since early this year.

But not everyone was pleased to hear of the series' cancellation. "There was no explination." says 'Buckwild' producer J.P. Williams. "This is the network that has shows about teen pregnancy. They'll stick by a show that allows you to abandon a child, but a kid dies by accident doing what he does for a living [mudding] and they cancel the show?” Williams, who manages eight of the cast members plans to continue on with filming...with or without MTV. "My job is to protect these kids. This will get ugly." In a statement given to THR the veteran producer claims he plans on bringing the show to the silver screen with a Buckwild movie if the series is not renewed. 

ATV Vehicle Provided by MTV Lead to Discovery of  Network Star's Accident Scene

Reporter: Laura Domineau

Shain Gandee's 1984 Ford Bronco truck after being recovered from the accident scene

Sissonville, WV: According to a report by WBCH ABC 8 out of Charleston, West Virginia,  MTV crew in the area filming for Buckwild Season 2 were ultimately the ones who lead authorities to the bodies of Shain Gandee, 21, his uncle David Gandee, 48 and friend Donald Robert Meyers, 27.

After leaving Larry's Bar in Sissonville at approximately 3:00 am early Sunday morning, Gandee informed patrons the group planned to go four wheeling. Failing to mention the exact location they were headed may have proved fatal, as family and friends searching for Gandee after he did not return were unaware of his whereabouts.

After a civilian on an ATV vehicle reported finding a truck partially submerged in mud with three unresponsive individuals inside, police and rescue units attempted to head to the area, but due to the muddy trail terrain were unable to get emergency response vehicles to the scene.

MTV crew provided an ATV used while filming the show to the Kanawha County Sheriff's department which was used to travel to the scene and locate the accident. A source from the Sheriffs Department as well as a Gandee family member confirmed to reporters officials found Shain, his uncle, and friend dead in the vehicle upon arrival.

Gandee recently rose to fame in 2013 as the rambunctious star of MTV reality show 'Buckwild', chronicling the lives of a group of young 20-somethings living in the West Virginia communities of Sissonville and Charleston. Despite outcry from the community and WV Senator Joe Manchin that the program portrayed the area in a negative light and should be cancelled, MTV recently confirmed the series was picked up for a second season with filming currently underway.

Patrons at Larry's Bar, the last location Gandee was seen alive, mentioned that MTV had recently been filming inside the establishment, a popular hangout among Gandee and friends.

According to cousin Ashley Gandee, funeral plans are tentatively sceheduled for Saturday. Autoposy reports released early Wednesday conclude the accidental deaths were a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.


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