'I tell him his mother still loves him and she's watching out for him': Mindy McCready's ex Billy McKnight on how their son Zander is coping after her tragic suicide
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It was a tragic story that left two little boys without their talented mother.
Now more than five months since country star Mindy McCready shot herself dead, her ex-partner Billy McKnight has opened-up about how their 7-year-old son Zander is doing.
Speaking to the National Enquirer country singer Billy revealed that he's determined to protect Zander and get his life back on track while being as truthful as he can about his talented but tragic mother.
New start: Country singer Billly McKnight is looking after his son Zander following the death of the boy's mother Mindy McCready
Watching: Billy has told Zander that his famous mother is watching over him from heaven - here she performed in Nashville back in June 2005
Billy and his wife Corey Rena-McKnight now have full custody of blond haired Zander who lives with them at their home in Florida.
'Zander often asks me, ''Did you love my mom?''' the singer from Soul Circus Cowboys told The Enquirer.
'I've told him that he was deeply loved by both his mother and me, but we don't focus on how Mindy died.
'Zander understands what happened and says that he knows that his mother is in heaven- I tell him his mother still loves him and she's watching out for him.
'Those are the thoughts that Zander needs to hold close.'
Mourning: David Wilson, seen here with his country singer girlfriend Mindy McCready, died from self-inflicted gunshot, tragically the country star took her life in the same way
So sad: Troubled Mindy took her own life in February after battling depression over her boyfriend's suicide
Zander had been living with a foster family since his mother's death on February 17, aged only 37, at her Cleburne County, Arkansas home - but a court recently awarded custody of the little boy to his father.
McGready took her own life a month after her boyfriend David Wilson - and father of her other son 15-month-old Zayne - had taken his life too in the same location.
But despite enduring a roller coaster childhood as his mother fought drug and alcohol addiction before her death Billy McKnight believes that Zander is finally leading a happier life now.
'Zander finally has a real chance in life,' the 47-year-old added.
'He's got a new bike and friends - he's rebuilding his life and becoming a very happy little boy.'
Remembering: Country singer Bryan White performed during an emotional memorial service for Mindy McCready in Nashville in March
Zander was living with McGready and Wilson and their baby son Zayne when he took his own life on January 13 at the age of only 34.
But Zander was in foster care when his mother tragically committed suicide of a self inflicted gun shot to the head on the porch of the same house.
His half brother, 15-month-old Zayne, is in custody of McCready's relatives on her father's side of their family.
McKnight - who receives income from the late singer's record sales and royalties - believes it is time for everybody to move on.
'While Mindy and I had her issues, we will all need to forgive her and find some peace with all of this - her legacy is her music and the fact that people enjoyed it.' he added.
Tragic end: Ms McCready committed suicide on February 17 at her home in Heber Springs, Arkansas after years of troubles as will as triumphs
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