Mindy McCready is Fifth 'Celebrity Rehab' Death

Feb. 18, 2013 — -- intro: The death of country singer Mindy McCready makes her the latest alum of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" to succumb to their struggles. She is the fifth troubled star to appear on the show to die in the past two years.

The show had five seasons from 2008 to 2011. Dr. Drew Pinsky's publicist did not respond to requests for comments, nor did representatives from VH1.

"Mental health issues can be life threatening and need to be treated with the same intensity and resources as any other dangerous potentially life threatening medical condition," Dr. Drew said in a statement released today in reference to McCready's death. "Treatment is effective. If someone you know is suffering please be sure he or she gets help and maintains treatment."

quicklist: category: title: Mindy McCreadyurl: text: Mindy McCready, 37, died Sunday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Arkansas home, police said.

The country singer who soared to the top of the charts with her debut album, "Ten Thousand Angels," struggled with substance abuse, served time in jail and fought a lengthy battle with her mother over custody of her son.

The singer appeared on the third season of Dr. Drew's VH1 show.

"I am deeply saddened by this awful news," Dr. Drew said in a statement posted in a VH1 blog. "My heart goes out to Mindy's family and children. She is a lovely woman who will be missed by many."

Dr. Drew said that he had not treated McCready for a few years, but "reached out to her recently" after her boyfriend and father of one of her two children David Wilson, committed suicide in January.

"She was devastated. Although she was fearful of stigma and ridicule she agreed with me that she needed to make her health and safety a priority," Dr. Drew said. "Unfortunately it seems that Mindy did not sustain her treatment."

McCready was ordered to enter rehab shortly after Wilson's death, and her two children, Zander, 6, and 9-month-old Zayne were taken from her. She was released after one day to undergo outpatient care.

Click here for more on McCready's death.

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quicklist: category: title: Joey Kovarurl: text: Joey Kovar was a personal trainer and aspiring actor in Chicago when he was cast on MTV's "The Real World: Hollywood" in 2008. His long battle with drug and alcohol abuse led to him being asked to leave the show, according to his "Celebrity Rehab" bio.

He struggled with alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy and other drugs as well as steroids as part of his bodybuilding, according to the show's website.

On Aug. 17, 2012, he was found dead in the home of a friend who reportedly found him with blood coming out of his nose and ears. He was 29 and left behind a 3-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.

He appeared on the same season of "Celebrity Rehab" as Mindy McCready.

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quicklist: category: title: Rodney Kingurl: text: Rodney King was best known as the man at the center of a 1991 beating by Los Angeles police officers that was caught on video and seen all over the world. He became a symbol for police brutality and the strained relations between the LAPD and minorities.

Four LAPD officers were tried for excessive force and their April 1992 acquittal ignited one of the worst and most expensive urban riots in U.S. history. There were 54 riot-related deaths and more than $1 billion in property damages.

King was eventually awarded a $3.8 million settlement and wrote a book, but had numerous run-ins with the law over several years.

King was 47 when he was found dead in the bottom of his swimming pool in Rialto, Calif. The coroner's office later determined that he had drowned with a mixture of alcohol and drugs in his system.

Toxicology tests found PCP, cocaine, marijuana and alcohol in King's body. The combination of the drugs and a heart condition led to a cardiac arrhythmia.

King appeared on the second season of "Celebrity Rehab."

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quicklist: category: title: Jeff Conaway url: text: Jeff Conaway, an actor best known for playing Kenickie in "Grease" and acting on the TV show "Taxi," appeared on the second season of "Celebrity Rehab."

In May 2011, he was found unconscious in his California home. He remained in a coma until he was taken off life support several weeks later. He was 60 when he died. His sister said at the time that it was a result of "too many prescribed drugs." He had an abuse history with alcohol, cocaine and prescription drugs, according to his "Celebrity Rehab" bio.

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quicklist: category: title: Mike Starrurl: text: Rock band Alice in Chains bass player Mike Starr died March 8, 2011 from an apparent drug overdose in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 44 and had struggled with drugs for many years. He appeared on the same season of "Celebrity Rehab" as McCready.

He went through 30 stints in drug rehab facilities for problems with drugs including heroin, methadone, crystal meth, cocaine and pot, according to his bio on the show's website.

At the time of his death, Dr. Drew tweeted, "Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness. So very sad. Our prayers are with his family."

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