(Monday, Feb 18, 2013)

Mindy McCready, perhaps better known for her troubled personal life than as a country music icon, died today from an apparent suicide. She was 37-years-old.

Deputies from the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office in Arkansas confirmed Sunday night that she was found on her front porch dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A message on McCready's Facebook page reads, "In life I believe everything happens for a reason, even when I don't understand I still believe there is a perfect plan for everything... Every laugh, every tear, every moment, I love the dance..."

McCready's life seemed to take a downward spiral following the recent death of her boyfriend David Wilson, who died in January of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death is still under investigation. Wilson was the father of McCready's youngest son, Zayne, who was born on April 9th, 2012.

Mindy was released from rehab last week, but her father still had concerns about her health. Her father, Ted McCready, filed a petition earlier in the month detailing Mindy’s alleged state of mind. He says, “Since boyfriend [David Wilson] shot himself she has been in bed for three weeks. Sleeps all day. Drinks all night and is taking RX drugs. Not bathing or even helping take care of her two children.”

• McCready was born on November 30th, 1975 in Fort Myers, Florida.
• Her debut album Ten Thousand Angels sold two-million copies and featured number-one hit song “Guys Do It All The Time.”
• She had multiple arrests on charges including DUI, assault and battery.
• Released five albums over the course of her career.

Mindy moved to Nashville at age 18 to pursue a career in country music. She released her debut album, Ten Thousand Angels, included the number-one hit “Guys Do it All the Time” and sold more than two-million copies. Subsequent albums -- 1997’s If I Don’t Stay the Night, 1999’s I’m Not So Tough and 2002’s self-titled project -- failed to match the success of her first release. Nonetheless, she had 12 singles make the Billboard country chart over her career.

Mindy spent far more time in the news for her personal problems.

• In 1997 she got engaged to actor Dean Cain, but the engagement ended after a year.
• In August 2004 she was arrested for using a fake prescription to obtain OxyContin. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years probation and community service.
• 2005 was perhaps her worst year.
  • On May 6th, she was arrested in Nashville for DUI, but was found not guilty and charged with driving on a suspended license.
  • Two days later, Mindy’s then boyfriend, Billy McKnight, was arrested for attempted murder after choking the country star.
  • In July of 2005, she was charged with identity theft and fraud in Arizona.
  • A week later that July, authorities were called to a Florida hotel where Mindy was found unconscious in the lobby from a toxic mix of alcohol and drugs -- an apparent suicide attempt.
  • That August she was arrested for parole violation.
  • She attempted to take her life again in September overdosing on antidepressants while pregnant with McKnight’s child.
• On March 25th, 2006 Mindy gave birth to son Zander, but motherhood did little to change her. In July of the same year, she was charged with battery after assaulting her mother and resisting arrest in Florida, and spent three months in jail.
• In April 2008, Mindy admitted to a decade-long affair with baseball legend and married father of two Roger Clemens, saying it had begun when she was 15. Clemens denied the story, saying they were close family friends.
• That June, Mindy was arrested in Tennessee for parole violation. She spent another 30 days in jail.
• On December 17th, 2008, paramedics once again responded to a call when Mindy attempted suicide by slashing her wrists. 
• In 2009, she appeared on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew.
• In May of 2010, Mindy lost a court battle to stop Vivid Entertainment from releasing a sex tape she’s featured in. She said the tape was intended to be private and was stolen.

Mindy, whose latest album, I’m Still Here, was released in March of 2010, leaves behind her sons Zander and Zayne.

Please pray for her family.