Monday, January 4, 2010

Socialite Casey Johnson, daughter of Jets owner Woody Johnson, found dead in Los Angeles | Casey Johnson | Sale Johnson | Woody Johnson


Casey Johnson, the troubled daughter of Jets owner Woody Johnson, who was reportedly battling drugs and alcohol, was found dead Monday.

The 30-year-old socialite was found by her maid.

"She's dead!" the woman screamed as she ran from Johnson's West Hollywood home, neighbors told E! Online.

Cops said they don't suspect foul play.

"A toxicology (investigation) will be pending through the coroner's office," said Officer Sara Faden, an LAPD spokeswoman.

Johnson's father, who had just celebrated the Jets' triumphant berth in the NFL playoffs Sunday night, is said to be devastated.

"The Johnson family is mourning its tragic loss, and asks for privacy during this very difficult time," a spokesman for the heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune said.

Johnson, who was a lesbian, recently announced her engagement to bisexual reality TV star Tila Tequila, 28, in an online video. Both appeared in nothing more than their bras and panties on.

The pair was later photographed by paparazzi kissing in public and showing off the 17-carat diamond ring Johnson slipped onto Tequila's finger.

Monday night, a heartbroken Tequila confirmed her lover's death on Twitter, in a note dotted with texting shorthand: "Everyone please pray 4 my Wifey Casey Johnson," Tequila wrote. "She has passed away. Thank u for all ur love and support but I will be offline to be w/ family."

Johnson's demise punctuates the life of an upper East Side rich girl, who grew up in the lap of luxury and was pals with pal Paris and Nicky Hilton.

She moved to Los Angeles eight years ago and quickly became fodder for gossip columns as the hard-partying heiress to the Johnson & Johnson riches.

She battled drug and alcohol addiction and failed numerous rehab stints.

In a 2007 interview, Johnson sounded like she was turning her life around, announcing she founding a skin care line called Journey.

She also discussed her adoption of a daughter, Ava, from Kazakhstan early in 2007.

Johnson told LXTV that she was determined not to spoil her daughter like she was as a child.

"When she gets to be like 8, 9, 10, 11 years old, and she says, 'Mommy, I want this,' she's not going to get everything she wants," Johnson said.

Friends said Johnson's life seemed to be spiraling out of control after her mother, Sale, took custody of her daughter.

She came to New York recently to battle to get her daughter back, but was hampered by finances that were in shambles.

Her father recently cut off her trust fund because she couldn't sober up, friends said.

In November, Johnson was arrested on grand theft charges for allegedly breaking into the Hollywood apartment of her ex-girlfriend, fashion model Jasmine Lennard.

"I tried to get her off drugs and alcohol," Lennard recently said in a published report. "I tried to get her into a 12-step program. I tried to help take care of her daughter. I've given her money.

Friends and neighbors of Woody Johnson expressed shock at the death of a young woman, who seemingly had all the privileges of wealth.

"She's a wonderful woman and she'll be dearly missed," a family friend said Monday night. "It's a horrible loss."

Another family friend, Suzanne Webster, called Casey "a sweet but troubled girl."

"Her family was concerned over her well-being the past year, Webster said.

Tags: casey johnson, jamie johnson, sale johnson, woody johnson daughter, woody johnson net worth

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