The personal demons haunting 37-year-old country western singer Mindy McCready caught up with her this weekend as the troubled artist was found dead yesterday on the front porch of her Heber Springs, Ark. home with a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to FOX News.
McCready also apparently shot the family dog before taking her own life, as the two were both found dead right next to each other.
McCready’s body was discovered on the same porch and in the exact same spot where her boyfriend, 34-year-old music producer David Wilson, was also found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Jan. 13.
There has been some speculation regarding Wilson’s death not being a suicide. Authorities are still investigating his death.
McCready and Wilson had one child together, 9-month-old son Zayne.
Wilson also filled the role of care-giver to McCready’s older son, 6-year-old Zander. Wilson’s death hit McCready hard, adding to a long list of personal challenges and tribulations for the singer which included a custody battle with both her ex and her mother over Mindy's older son, substance and alcohol abuse, drug overdoses, several arrests, being a victim of domestic violence, and prior suicide attempts.
McCready entered court-ordered rehab earlier this month after her father told a judge she was no longer taking care of herself or her children and was abusing drugs and alcohol. Her sons were put in foster care at the time, but it's not clear where Zander and Zayne were at the time of McCready's suicide.
Mindy’s two children are currently in foster care in Ark.
Immediately after Wilson’s death, McCready said, "I just keep telling myself that the more suffering that I go through, the greater character I`ll have."
Friends and colleagues of the beleaguered singer expressed their sympathies on twitter:
"Too much tragedy to overcome. R.I.P Mindy McCready," wrote Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks.
"Just heard about Mindy McCready. My thoughts and prayers are with her 2 boys and her family," tweeted Jason Aldean.
McCready's ex-boyfriend, Billy McKnight, who is also the dad to older son Zander, said that he saw Mindy’s suicide coming, according to The Boot.
"As sad as it is, it didn't come as a major shock because she's been battling demons for so long," he says.
"I was around her when she attempted suicide twice, so I knew it was in her. I feel for her mother and her family and especially my son. But I can't say that it shocked me."
McCready sold over three million albums which included her Number One hit "Guys Do It All the Time," and her Top Ten hits "Ten Thousand Angels," and "A Girl's Gotta Do (What a Girl's Gotta Do.)"
In 1997, McCready was engaged to actor Dean Cain; their engagement ended the following year.
For more on the life and times of Mindy McCready, see the video accompanying this article.
Rest in peace Mindy McCready.
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