Former 'Idol' Contestant Found Dead Near Paula Abdul's Home
KTLA News
November 12, 2008
SHERMAN OAKS -- A former "American Idol" contestant has been found dead outside a home in Sherman Oaks belonging to Paula Abdul.
Police say Paula Goodspeed was found dead inside a car around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 3800 block of Beverly Ridge Drive, yards from the entertainer's home.
Police say Goodspeed, whose rendition of "Proud Mary" was roundly criticized by Simon Cowell and rejected by Abdul and Randy Jackson, had possibly committed suicide, said Ed Winter.
An official cause of death had not been determined.
The woman was said to have been infatuated with Abdul.
Jeff Ballard, one of Abdul's representatives, told Entertainment Tonight that the American Idol judge was "shocked and saddened" about the death.
He described the woman as someone Abdul and her staff have known about for "several years."
Goodspeed's audition was aired during the season that began in January 2006.
She told the show's host, Ryan Seacrest, how she was a huge fan of Abdul and created life-size paintings of the singer and former Laker Girl; she also called Abdul "beautiful" after Cowell said he noticed a resemblance between Goodspeed and Abdul.
But Cowell also made light of Goodspeed's braces and bloggers trashed her appearance, which she noted in a MySpace posting months after the show aired.
"American Idol" producer Fremantle Media North America declined comment.
According to TMZ, the woman's parents reported her missing to Ventura County sheriff's deputies, told them their daughter had an unnatural obsession with Abdul and that they might want to check the celebrity's home.
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Originally Posted by Surfing USA
Former 'Idol' Contestant Found Dead Near Paula Abdul's Home
