With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mindy McCready, Country Singer, Dies In Apparent Suicide
McCready in 2008 (Getty Images)
()
Mindy McCready, the country music star who publicly confronted her issues on reality television, was found dead in Arkansas. While the police have not confirmed her death, NBC correspondent Andrea Canning tweeted, "Just got a call from Mindy McCready's best friend that she shot and killed herself this evening. My heart breaks for her two boys. RIP" and her brother confirmed that she died to the Daily News. She was 37.McCready has had a troubled life, in spite of her success. Her VH1 Celebrity Rehab bio reads, "[Her] four albums have sold over 3 million copies, while 12 of her singles have appeared on Billboard's country singles charts. With her success has come very public relationships, including an engagement to actor Dean Cain,an underage affair with Major League Baseball star Roger Clemens, and a very violent association with aspiring country singer, Billy McKnight. Although she was arrested and jailed for trying to buy OxyContin with a false prescription and attempted suicide with an overdose of drugs and alcohol, Mindy believes her only true addiction is to violent relationships."
E! Online reports, "Just a little over a month ago, McCready's boyfriend, David Wilson, died at the age of 34 with no cause of death or details surrounding his passing being revealed, however continues to be under investigation." Shortly after that, "McCready's two children, Zander, 6, and Zayne, 9-months-old, were taken from the singer's Heber Springs, Ark., home by authorities."
She later checked into an in-patient facility. A source had said, "Mindy needs to get help and we all care and love her and we want her to get the right help so she can move on. She is in a bad state right now, depressed and unhappy. It is not good," and her father said, per court documents, "Since boyfriend (David Wilson) shot himself she has been in bed for 3 wks. Sleeps all day. Drinks all night and is taking Rx drugs. Not bathing or even helping take care of her 2 children." But then McCready suddenly decided to go to out-patient treatment.
McCready had spoken with Canning for a Dateline interview. In a segment broadcast on the Today Show, McCready said that Wilson, the father of baby Zayne, was her "soulmate" and outright denied that she killed him, "Oh, my God, no. Oh, my God, no," she answered. "He was my life. We were each others' life."
Support for LAist comes from
McCready had released five albums; her song "Guys Do It All The Time," from her double-platinum debut album, Ten Thousand Angels, hit #1 on Billboard's country charts.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
Best of LAist