R.I.P.: Singer Mindy McCready Dead at 37

On Sunday, McCready, whose turbulent personal life overshadowed her music, was found dead on the front porch of her Heber Springs, Arkansas home -- the victim, authorities said, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, reports CNN.

She was 37.

McCready leaves behind two boys -- a 6-year-old and a 10-month-old.

Just a month earlier, police had paid another visit to the house.

On that day, they found the infant's father -- record producer David Wilson -- dead on the porch.

He too had apparently taken his own life. He too had used a gun.

McCready burst onto the music scene in 1996 with her debut album "Ten thousand angels." It sold more than 2 million copies. Her chart-topping hit "Guys Do It All The Time" followed that same year.

In all, she put 14 songs and six of her albums on the Billboard Country charts.

TWITTER:  #MindyMcCready.

But through it all, she was spiraling downward. And the fall was painful and precipitous.

She struggled with addiction and mental illness, often publicly.

In 2004, McCready was placed on three years' probation after she pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining the painkiller OxyContin at a pharmacy.

The next year, she was arrested for drunk driving in Nashville, and was beaten and choked by ex-boyfriend Billy McKnight, who was charged with attempted murder.

Before 2005 ended, McCready had suffered two drug overdoses, was arrested on drug charges, was pregnant with McKnight's child and, authorities say, attempted suicide.

She attempted suicide again in 2008, authorities say, and had another drug overdose in 2010 before joining the cast of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." The reality show chronicles the life of celebrities as they're treated for alcohol and drug addiction.

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