'Infatuated' fan found dead near TV judge's home

A fan of Paula Abdul was found dead in a car parked near a home belonging to the 'American Idol' judge, police said today.

The death in the Sherman Oaks area of California appeared to be a suicide, Captain Jim Miller told KTTV-TV.

He said the woman, who was not named, was infatuated with Abdul.

“I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday,” Abdul said in a statement released by her publicist, Jeff Ballard.

“My heart and prayers go out to her family.”

Police spokeswoman Julianne Sohn said officers responded to a call yesterday evening and arrived to find the body. Public records show Abdul owns a home nearby.

The 30-year-old woman was reported missing yesterday afternoon by a family member in neighbouring Ventura County.

Authorities said they would not release the woman’s identity until next of kin had been notified.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Captain Ross Bonfiglio said relatives had not seen the woman since late on Monday and were concerned she might try to hurt herself.

In June, the department checked on the woman at her home in Thousand Oaks after deputies received a tip from Los Angeles police that the woman might be at risk of self-harm, Mr Bonfiglio said.