RIP

Shain Gandee did not get rich during his brief stint as an MTV reality star -- far from it -- so his family is turning to his community to help pay for funeral expenses ... TMZ has learned.

Shain's cousin, Ashley Gandee, is organizing a memorial "mud run" (an off-road trucking event) to ease the financial strain on Shain's family in the wake of the "Buckwild" star's death.

"I know the strain they are going through," Ashley tells us ... adding, "It's hard to provide a proper burial. It's already tough with the loss of family members ... expenses are tough as well."

FYI -- Ashley was with Shain at the opening of her shop Gandee's General Store in Crown City, Ohio on Saturday ... two days before he was found dead.

Ashley tells us the "mud run" event will take place Wednesday night in Proctorville, Ohio -- a town about 50 miles from Charleston, West Virginia where "Buckwild" is filmed.

We're told there will be a $10 charge for each vehicle -- Ashley's store will also be taking donations.

It's unclear how much dough Shain made during his career on the MTV show -- but as we learned from the "Jersey Shore" situation, the stars don't usually see a big pay day until AFTER the show becomes a hit. It's safe to say Shain was probably making a couple thousand dollars at best.

2:38 PM PT -- TMZ has learned ... the bodies of all 3 victims have been recovered from the scene and have been transferred to the local medical examiner's office where autopsies will be performed.

2:29 PM PT -- Officials have retrieved Shain's red Ford Bronco from the muddy pit where it was discovered ... and judging by pictures of the car taken at the scene, it appears the vehicle was submerged past the window.

The photos seem to support the theory that the passengers died from carbon monoxide poisoning because the deadly fumes from the car could not escape through the tailpipe, which was completely submerged in the mud.

There is evidence that "Buckwild" star Shain Gandee may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning ... sources close to the death investigation tell TMZ.

A rep for the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office in West Virginia tells us, the bodies of Shain, his uncle David Gandee, and a third unidentified person are still inside the truck where they were originally found. Authorities have been unable to remove the bodies from the scene because of the truck's location.

According to the rep, Shain's 1984 Bronco is stuck knee-deep in mud in the middle of nowhere ... and the only way to reach it is via an all-terrain vehicle.

We're told there is no cell reception in the area, which is why Shain and the others couldn't be reached. We're also told the bodies were originally discovered today by a passing ATV rider.

Police wouldn't confirm or deny whether carbon monoxide poisoning played a role in the deaths -- but sources connected with the investigation say it's the likely scenario, especially if the exhaust pipe was submerged in mud.

TMZ has obtained the 911 call placed by Ric Flair ... moments after the wrestling legend discovered his son Reid Flair unresponsive in a Charlotte, NC hotel room.

Ric frantically tells the operator, "He's out cold! He's out cold and he's purple!"

As we reported, Ric's 25-year-old son Reid -- who had just returned to the U.S. after wrestling in Japan -- passed away on March 29th.

The Mayor of Charleston, West Virginia -- where "Buckwild" is filmed -- says he hopes MTV will pull the plug on the controversial show after one of its stars, Shain Gandee, was found dead today.

Mayor Danny Jones tells TMZ ... “Of the few cast members on the show already two have had legal issues and now one has died. The show only enhances the negative stereotype the Kanawha Valley already has. I hope the show’s life is short.”

The show has been surrounded by controversy from the beginning ... you'll recall, back in December WV Senator Joe Manchin blasted the show as a "travesty" that profits off of shameful behavior and urged MTV to cancel it even before it aired.

Adding to the problem ... two "Buckwild" cast members were recently arrested for separate incidents -- Salwa Amin and Michael Burford. Amin in connection with a drug raid and Burford on suspicion of DUI.

1:00 PM PT -- Sources close to the death investigation say it's likely Shain died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Buckwild" Star Shain Gandee was found dead in a vehicle in West Virginia this morning ... 31 hours after the 21-year-old MTV reality star had been reported missing, this according to law enforcement.

According to officials, Gandee, his 48-year-old uncle David Gandee, and a third unidentified body were discovered dead in the vehicle in Sissonville, West Virginia. There was no sign of foul play.

As we previously reported ... Shain was last heard from around 3 AM on Sunday morning, when he and his uncle David told people they planned to go 4-wheeling.

MTV has released a statement, saying, "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."

MTV adds, "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."

The rep says production of "Buckwild" has since been suspended.

Story developing ...

9:40 AM PT -- Shain has been found dead inside his car along with two other bodies, this according to law enforcement. It's unclear if one of the other bodies is Shain's uncle.

"Buckwild" star Shain Gandee has been reported missing after going on an off-roading trip with his uncle ... and never coming home.

The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office in West Virginia just issued a press release, claiming the MTV reality star and his uncle David Gandee were reported missing last night, roughly 24 hours after they were last seen at a Sissonville bar.

According to cops, 21-year-old Shain and 48-year-old David had told people at the bar they were planning to go four-wheeling ... but didn't tell anyone where they planned to ride. They haven't been seen or heard from since.

At the time of the police press release, Shain and his uncle had been missing 31 hours. They were last known to be in Shain’s car, a red and white 1984 Ford Bronco with oversized tires.

Reid Flair never got to wrestle Friday night after he passed away unexpectedly ... so the folks at Big Time Wrestling paid tribute to the 25-year-old with a 10 bell salute in his honor.

Reid -- who recently returned to the states after wrestling in Japan -- was scheduled to appear at an event for Big Time Wrestling in Hagerstown, MD along with his dad, WWE legend Ric Flair.

But Reid never made it -- he was found dead in his hotel room early Friday morning.

Following the tragic events, Big Time Wrestling took time out before the show began to honor the wrestler's life ... by giving him a traditional wrestler's memoriam.

Thanks to our friends at rfvideo.com for the clip.

Grammy Award-winning producer Phil Ramone -- who worked with legends like Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon -- has passed away at age 72.

Phil's death was confirmed by his son, Matt Ramone, but details were not made immediately available. Matt released statement saying his father "will be missed."

Phil was a legend in the music world having won 14 Grammys, produced music for "Flashdance," "Midnight Cowboy" and " Ghostbusters" ... and worked with some of the greatest artists in the world like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Elton John ... the list goes on.

We're told authorities received a call at 10:35 AM from someone who said he found an unresponsive person in a hotel room. Homicide detectives responded and found Reid, who was already dead. We're told there does not appear to be foul play.

The 25-year-old son of legendary wrestler Ric Flair is dead.

Flair's agent tells TMZ, "We are heartbroken to confirm that Ric's son, Reid Fliehr, has passed away today March 29, 2013 in Charlotte, NC."

The agent goes on, "The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing."

Reid was an independent wrestler who was wrestling in Japan over the last few months. He even wrestled a few times in WCW as a kid (see video below).

Reid had issues with heroin in the past, and was arrested in 2009 for possession.

Ric's agent says, "No words can describe the grief that Ric and his family are experiencing and they do request privacy during this devastating time."

Richard Griffiths -- the British actor who played Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon in the popular movies -- died Thursday following heart surgery in England. He was 65.

In addition to starring in the Potter films, Griffiths won a Tony for his role in "The History Boys" and starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in "Equus" in 2007.

Radcliffe released a statement yesterday saying, "Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career ... I was proud to say I knew him."

Griffiths' most recent performance was last year in a West End production of Neil Simon's comedy "The Sunshine Boys" that also starred Danny DeVito.

Delia, who's in her late 20s, says she knew all along ... Jerry, who died at 80, had multiple, young girlfriends. Jerry was famously a player in L.A., but Delia says she was his #1. Delia ungenerously added, "The others were just slutty arm candy."

Delia tells TMZ ... in addition to giving her the condo and the Bentley in his will, Jerry also left her a large amount of money, though she would not disclose the amount and how she got it -- through the will or otherwise.

Robert 'RZ' Zildjian -- the guy who founded the Sabian cymbal company -- died today at the age of 89 ... TMZ has learned.

Zildjian was a titan in the music world -- and was credited with re-inventing the cymbal industry after leaving the business started by his family, the Zildjian cymbal company.

According to reports, Zildjian singlehandedly grew Sabian into the 2nd largest cymbal company in the world ... only placing behind his family's business, which he helped run for years.

Basically, if you've ever played the drums ... or know someone who has ... or have ever seen a live band perform ... there's a damn good chance you've heard Robert's work.

Jerry Buss -- who owned the L.A. Lakers before he died -- has given a girlfriend many decades younger than him an awesome parting gift -- his Honolulu, Hawaii condo and his 2009 Bentley!

TMZ just obtained a copy of Jerry's will, and he leaves just about everything to his family trust. The trustee is Jerry's daughter, Jeanie Buss. According to the will, the estate is worth in excess of $5.5 million (although his assets obviously total way more than that).

Now ... as for the young woman. Her name is Delia Cortez. She lives in Hawaii. She's in her late 20s and was studying to become a vet.

Sources who were close to Jerry tell TMZ ... she and Jerry had an "intimate relationship." We also know Jerry had an eye for young ladies and got around.

As for the condo and the car ... Jerry amended his will in March, 2012 to include the gifts to Delia.

TMZ has just obtained the 911 call that was placed by a breathless man who repeatedly pleaded for help after Ashley Greene's apartment exploded in flames, screaming, "The building's on fire."

As we first reported, Ashley and two men were sleeping in her rental unit when the fire broke out. Officials now say the cause of the fire was an unattended candle that torched the couch and subsequently the entire place.

It's case closed for the Ashley Greene condo fire ... TMZ has learned, the devastating flames that ripped through the actress' L.A. apartment Friday have officially been ruled an accident.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, the L.A. Fire Department and the insurance company -- all of which opened an arson investigation -- are in lockstep ... the fire occurred as the result of carelessness.

TMZ broke the story ... the fire started when an unattended candle accidentally lit Ashley's living room couch ablaze.

Building sources tell us, at least four neighboring units were significantly damaged from the blaze. Insurance agents are expected to stop by today to start the claims process.

Ashley Greene's condo will have to be completely gutted, sources tell TMZ, and four other units in her building will need work done following yesterday's tragic fire.

As TMZ first reported, an unattended candle in the living room of Greene's West Hollywood condo started a horrific blaze that resulted in the death of one of Greene's dogs.

According to our sources, the damages to Greene's unit is so bad, the place will have to be completely gutted -- walls torn down, floor removed, etc.

We're told moisture damage from the blaze will require four other units in the building to be worked on. Our sources say the unit directly above Greene's was the only other unit that needed to be evacuated.