‘Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew’ alum Mindy McCready found dead

The tragedy when it comes to former patients of “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” continues. Over the course of the past two and a half years, four celebrities that entered the show, Jeff Conaway, Mike Starr, Joey Kovar, and Rodney King, have all passed away, and drugs were found to play some sort of either direct or indirect role in what transpired.

Now, we can sadly add a fifth name to the list: Mindy McCready. Just one month after the father of her youngest child ended up taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McCready took her own life according to reports coming out today. She was 37 years old.

As this news is just breaking, there is no word as to whether or not drugs or alcohol played a role in her passing. McCready has made numerous attempts to rehabilitate her life over the years in addition to appearing on the VH1 reality show with Dr. Drew Pinsky, and she also had made two previous attempts at taking her life both in 2005 and 2008. On February 6, her two children were ultimately removed from her home due to her various addictions, and she was forced to enter treatment.

Dr. Drew has yet to comment on this story, but a current country star in Carrie Underwood posted the following on her Twitter account, citing McCready as an early influence on her music:

“I grew up listening to Mindy McCready…so sad for her family tonight. Many prayers are going out to them…”

There has long been a debate about whether or not “Celebrity Rehab” is either exploitative or helpful to stars seeking genuine treatment, but this is not the place for it at the moment. For now, let us just say that thoughts are with McCready’s family in this difficult time.

Photo: VH1