Paula Goodspeed

Police say former American Idol contestant Paula Goodspeed had an "unnatural obsession" with Paula Abdul. On November 11, 2008, Goodspeed's body was found in a parked car near Abdul's Los Angeles home.ABC News: Obsessive Fan of Paula Abdul Commits Suicide (November 13, 2008) A January 20, 2009 Los Angeles, coroner report, confirmed that Goodspeed had committed suicide by overdosing on prescription drugs.AP Coroner Says Fan Died From Overdose (January 20, 2009)

Nearly a month after Goodspeed's death, Abdul made an appearance on The View during which she discussed Goodspeed's death. Abdul reported that Goodspeed had been stalking her for 17 years and that she had begged American Idol producers not to allow Goodspeed to audition for the show.TMZ.com: Abdul:Suicidal Fan Stalked Me for 17 Years (December 8, 2008) TMZ.com: Abdul Attacks Idol: They Knew About Stalker (December 9, 2008)

According to police, they found Goodspeed's body after receiving a call from her parents who reported her missing. Her parents told police that she had an "unnatural obsession" with Abdul.NBC Chicago: Dead Fan Found Outside Paula Abdul's Home (November 12, 2008) During the interview segment when Goodspeed tried out for American Idol, she said she was a "really big fan" of Abdul and said she made "life-sized drawings of Paula."Daily Motion: Proud Mary Paula Goodspeed She said, "I have been drawing ever since I was a little kid and my first drawing was of Paula Abdul."ABC News: Obsessive Fan of Paula Abdul Commits Suicide (November 13, 2008)

Goodspeed's MySpace profile featured a photo of Abdul with the caption, "My secret crush, shhhhh!!!!!!!"ABC News: Obsessive Fan of Paula Abdul Commits Suicide (November 13, 2008)

On her MySpace blog she wrote about her audition for American Idol. She wrote, "It's very hard reading such awful things being written about yourself.....or hearing things being said..... not like alot of people would understand what it's like having so many haters...just because I made the mistake of trying out for a singing competition before I was even ready vocally, emotionally and physically."People.com: Paula Goodspeed Went to Abdul's House Before (November 13, 2008)

When Goodspeed tried out for American Idol in 2005, her audition was featured in a four-minute segment.The Envelope (LAT): Suicide...Why did Paula Goodspeed die? (November 13, 2008) She said her fashion style was inspired by Abdul and footage showing her life-sized Abdul drawings was featured. Following her performance of "Proud Mary," she was not chosen to move forward in the competition.

In response to the performance, Abdul said she was "speechless." Goodspeed asked if that was "good or bad," to which Abdul responded, "You know, um, it's not a great thing." Simon Cowell teased Goodspeed about her braces and Randy Jackson defended Goodspeed, saying, "It's braces. People have them."Daily Motion: Proud Mary Paula Goodspeed