Johnson & Johnson Heiress Found Dead
Police found socialite Casey Johnson dead in her Los Angeles home.
Jan. 4, 2010— -- Casey Johnson, the socialite heiress of the Johnson & Johnson fortune who had recently announced her engagement to reality TV star Tila Tequila, was found dead at her Los Angeles home today, police said.
Police said Johnson, 30, the daughter of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, appears to have died of natural causes.
"Our officers conducted a preliminary investigation which appears to bean apparent natural death,'' Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Officer Sara Faden said. "There was no evidence of any foul play and the case is now being handled by the coroners, pending a toxicology report.''
Police responded to a call reporting that someone had died at 910 N. Orlando Ave., between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard near West Hollywood, at 11:51 a.m., Faden said.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters also responded to the call, and they conducted an investigation and determined that Johnson had died, the LAPD spokeswoman said.
Jesse Derris, a spokesman for Woody Johnson, told The Associated Press the family is mourning the tragic loss of Casey Johnson. In a statement, the family asked for privacy "during this very difficult time."
Last month, Johnson and Tequila, the star of "A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV, had announced their engagement in an online video, and thefrisky.com reported that the two showed up at a party together and Tequila showed off a large ring, saying, "It's 17-carat diamond ring from my baby. My baby is a billionaire!"
Johnson was arrested Nov. 30 on felony charges of theft and receiving stolen property, accused of taking $22,000 worth of jewelry, underwear and other items from her ex-girlfriend Jasmine Lennard, a model and British reality TV star.
