'My first feeling was relief': Jana Kramer breaks down as she describes the moment she learned her abusive ex-husband committed suicide - seven years after he tried to murder the country star

  • Jana Kramer broke down in tears while speaking about the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband Michael Gambino 
  • The country star, 32, also revealed that she felt 'relief' when she learned he had committed suicide in 2012 
  • Gambino served five years in prison on a charge of attempted murder after he tried to choke Kramer to death in 2005 
  • Kramer said that Grambino's abuse got so bad that she prayed for death
  • 'When we were struggling and he was choking me, I saw my mom, I saw my funeral. I literally have that flash, my whole life,' said Kramer 
  • Kramer is now focused on being a mother to her nine-month-old daughter Jolie, whose father is her estranged husband Mike Caussin 

An emotional Jana Kramer opened up about the horrifying abuse she suffered at the hands of her first husband, and her initial reaction when she learned years later that he had committed suicide.

The actress and country singer was just 19 when she married 36-year-old Michael Gambino in 2005.

She says the brutal abuse began just a short time after their wedding. 

It eventually escalated to the point where Gambino tried to choke her to death one night, leading to his arrest and a five-year prison sentence for attempted murder.

In 2012, two years after he was released, he took his own life.

'I remember getting the call that he committed suicide and I felt bad because my first feeling was relief that he was gone,' Kramer told Good Morning America.

'I didn't have to worry about him any more.' 

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Tough topic: Jana Kramer (above) broke down in tears hwile speaking about the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband Michael Gambino

Tough topic: Jana Kramer (above) broke down in tears hwile speaking about the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband Michael Gambino

Moving on: The country star, 32, also revealed that she felt 'relief' when she learned he had committed suicide in 2012

Moving on: The country star, 32, also revealed that she felt 'relief' when she learned he had committed suicide in 2012

Kramer also spoke about how the abuse began at he same time her acting career was beginning to take off with her role in the Adam Sandler film Click.

'My mom told me from day one never let anyone steal your light from you. And I didn't listen to that,' said Kramer. 

She said that Gambino started being 'verbally abusive,' but it soon turned into 'grabbing arms,' and eventually 'black eyes.'

'He was manipulating me to feel like it was my fault and so many women that are in abusive situations they feel that they're the reason for this,' said Kramer. 

'And the truth of the matter is they are not.'

Kramer said that she began spending nights sleeping in her car or hiding in the bushes to avoid the attacks. 

'I'll never forget sitting in the bushes and thinking: "How the heck did I get here. I'm hiding in my bushes. How the heck did I get here?"'  said Kramer

Gambino (above) served five years in prison for attempted murder after he tried to choke Kramer to death in 2005

Gambino (above) served five years in prison for attempted murder after he tried to choke Kramer to death in 2005

'This happened a lot, he would come home from a night out at the club and literally take me out of my bed and throw me on to the ground. 

'He said he was going to kill me. Choked me, did all these things and I thought: "This is it."

Then came the night that things got so bad that Kramer began to pray for death.

'My grandpa has always been my angel and I remember praying to him saying: "I don't even want to be here anymore cause I don't know how to get out of this situation. If there is a happier place let me come to you. Either save me of take me from this place so I don't have to be here anymore because I have to get out,"' said an emotional Kramer as tears ran down her face.

'When we were struggling and he was choking me, I saw my mom, I saw my funeral. I literally have that flash, my whole life. And I remember that I screamed out my mom's name and that's the last thing I remember.' 

After trying to choke her to death Gambino spent two months on the road before he was apprehended by police.

He was convicted of attempted murder after a brief trial. 

Moving forward: Kramer is now focused on being a mother to her nine-month-old daughter Jolie, whose father is her estranged husband Mike Caussin (above)

Moving forward: Kramer is now focused on being a mother to her nine-month-old daughter Jolie, whose father is her estranged husband Mike Caussin (above)

Jana Kramer and Johnathon Schaech
Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert

Past loves: Kramer was briefly married to actor Johnathon Schaech (left in 2010) and engaged to singer Brantley Gilbert (right in 2013)

Kramer went on to have a brief marriage with actor Johnathon Schaech before marrying third husband Mike Caussin, with whom she has a nine-month-old daughter Jolie.

That relationship is also on the rocks however after he admitted to having multiple affairs, something for which he is now receiving treatment. 

'He is doing all the work that he is supposed to be doing right now and I acknowledge that and I see that,' said Kramer.

'I appreciate the apology because ... it has been heartbreaking. But it's nothing I can't handle; just being strong for my daughter and being a mom is what I'm just focused on doing right now.'

She then added: 'I don't know what the future looks like, but I do know that at the end of the day, I'll be strong for my daughter.' 

Kramer also noted: 'I am worthy of a great love and I know that I am truly enough, just me.'

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