Mindy McCready dead

Country singer Mindy McCready is dead from what appears to be suicide.

The American crooner died at the age of 37 on her birthday, February 17, ET Online reports.

Mindy's demise seems to be resultant of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Fox 17 reporter Stacy McCloud confirmed speculation that Mindy took her own life via Twitter.

"A close family friend of Mindy McCready has informed me that the country singer has committed suicide," Stacy tweeted.

Mindy was very successful in the Nineties, with her 1996 album Ten Thousand Angels being certified as a two times multi-platinum record.

In recent years she has been garnering headlines for her tragic personal life.

The star has struggled with mental health and alcohol abuse for several years and tried to commit suicide several times before, being hospitalised for slitting her wrists in 2008.

She is survived by two young sons: Zander, six, with Billy McKnight, and Zayne, 10 months, fathered by David Wilson.

On January 13 of this year David was tragically found dead in his home, also of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Shortly after taking his life, Mindy's children were removed from her house and she was admitted to a facility to undergo evaluations to determine whether she was mentally sound or abusing alcohol. She was released two days later.

There has as yet been no official word from the coroner's office or investigative authorities on the matter.