Former "American Idol" Contestant Found Dead Outside of Paula Abdul's Home

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

In what's being categorized as a "sad incident" by law enforcement officers, the body of a former "American Idol" contestant was found dead in a car near Paula Abdul's Los Angeles home.

According to news reports, 30-year-old Paula Goodspeed overdosed on drugs shortly after she parked her vehicle on a street outside of Abdul's house Tuesday night.

The Season 5 contestant was said to have been infatuated with the "American Idol" judge. Police say they found Goodspeed's car (which featured the license plate "ABL LV") parked a few yards from Abdul's L.A. home. Officers confirm that the vehicle was registered to the wannabe singer and that a photo of Abdul was hanging from the car's rear view mirror.

Police say Goodspeed's mother reported her daughter missing Tuesday and advised sheriff deputies that she might be suicidal. After interviewing Goodspeed's friends officers determined the "American Idol" reject was likely in the vicinity of Abdul's house. Officers discovered Goodspeed's body a short time later and handed over her body to the medical examiner, who ruled the woman's death a suicide.

According to FOX News, Abdul was not at home when the body was found and wasn't aware of the situation until she was questioned by reporters.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday," Abdul said in a statement. "My heart and prayers go out to her family."

"American Idol" fans might remember Goodspeed given the number of times the show featured her failed audition.

During try-outs Goodspeed sang a rendition of Tina Turner's "Proud Mary," before being skewered by the show's judges.

"It was terrible, what was that?" judge Randy Jackson said at the time.

"Idol" judge Simon Cowell didn't hold back either making disparaging remarks about Goodspeed's braces: "I don't know how you can sing with all that metal in your mouth."

As for Abdul, she declared that she was "speechless" after hearing Goodspeed sing.

Later in the audition process Goodspeed expressed her affection for Abdul.

"I really like Paula Abdul a lot. She's really cool," Goodspeed revealed. "I'm a really big fan, and I made life-sized drawings of Paula. I've been drawing ever since I was a little kid, and my first drawing was of Paula Abdul."

Other members of the "American Idol" team have yet to comment on Goodspeed's death.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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