It is such a sad waste when a human being takes his or her own life. Sometimes -- as in the case of Mindy McCready -- the stresses of living can become so overwhelming they think suicide is the only answer. I didn't know Mindy well, but I spent enough time with her to know I liked her. She was personable, funny, a great talent and a flirt.

The photo shown is from 2000 when Mindy visited KFDI radio in Wichita, Kansas, where I was director of country programming  for Journal Broadcast Group. Mindy was touring the USA visiting country radio stations as she made a comeback. Wow, a comeback at 26!

Several of the songs on her Capitol album were written or co-written by Mindy. I thought they showed some depth and maturity and told her so. She really seemed pleased with that comment, her face just lit up in a giant smile.

Later, we went to dinner, just Mindy, her guitar player Jimmy Ritchie (who today is a very successful record producer) and me. . While waiting for our our table and sipping adult beverages (me?!!) Mindy called her father on her cell phone. I listened in as she told her dad she was with this radio guy that reminded her of "Grandpa Ray". Well, of course, at first I think ("What I remind her of her grandfather") but then she followed that up with, "Older guy, kinda hot" and looked right at me. The little flirt.

I certainly wished the best for her after that. It was not to be. The record fizzled. Mindy continued to be a problem for her label executives. They dropped her. And, of course, the men, the booze, the pills and everything else. She had two kids, too. 6 year Zander and nine month old Zayne. They were out of her custody Sunday.

She must have felt so alone.

Goodbye Mindy. Now she is one of the 10,000 angels.

More From WBKR-FM