McCready ex: Mindy fighting demons for so long
Mindy McCready's ex-boyfriend is not "shocked" by her apparent suicide, and said she had been "fighting demons" for some time.
The 37-year-old country singer's body was discovered on the porch of her home in Arkansas on Sunday, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Her former partner Billy McKnight - the father of Mindy's six-year-old son Zander - said Mindy had been fighting her "demons" for a long time.
Speaking on the 'Today' show, he explained: "As sad as it is, it didn't come as a major shock. She's just been battling demons for so long. I was around her when she attempted suicide twice, so I knew it was in her."
Billy was charged with attempted murder in 2005 following a row between the pair. Mindy attempted suicide later that year after being charged identity theft, unlawful imprisonment and hindering prosecution.
Billy now worries for the welfare of Zander and his 10-month-old half-brother Zayne - whose father is Mindy's late fiance David Wilson, who shot himself dead last month - and hopes his own son can live with him rather than being in foster care, where they boys were placed following the death of David.
Billy continued: "I feel for [Mindy's] mother and her family and especially my son. He needs to come home. I don't know what is going to happen to Zayne."
Fellow country singer LeAnn Rimes has expressed her grief at the news, describing the incident as a "tragedy".
My heart goes out to Mindy McCready's family. I knew her well. It's a horribly tragedy. May peace be with her son's.
— leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) February 18, 2013
I grew up listening to Mindy McCready...so sad for her family tonight. Many prayers are going out to them...
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) February 18, 2013
