'American Idol' Contestant Alexis Cohen Killed in Hit and Run
Authorities arrest 23-year-old N.J. man in connection with Alexis Cohen's death.
July 27, 2009 — -- Another tragedy has befallen a former "American Idol" hopeful.
Authorities said Alexis Cohen, who tried out twice for the Fox reality competition, was struck and killed by a car early Saturday in Seaside Heights, N.J.
Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said an autopsy indicated the 25-year-old Allentown, Pa., native suffered chest, head and abdominal injuries.
Monday, authorities arrested 23-year-old Daniel Bark from Toms River, N.J., on charges of reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Cohen auditioned in Philadelphia for "American Idol" in August 2007. The episode featuring her enraged rant after being rejected by the judges aired in January 2008.
After judge Simon Cowell called Cohen's rendition of Grace Slick's "Somebody to Love" "possessed" and suggested she looked like actor Willem Defoe, Cohen went ballistic, calling Cowell an "egotistical f**k," saying he would be sorry when she made it big. She then flipped off the cameras that followed her out of auditions.
Before her audition, "American Idol" included footage of Cohen describing her '60s style that earned her the nickname "glitter girl."
"I march to the beat of a different drummer," she said. "I like the fact that people look at me like I have 12 heads."
Cohen returned to "Idol" auditions the following season saying she had turned over a new leaf but again lost it when she was denied by the judges a second time.
Alex Cohen Case, Not First Untimely Death for 'Idol'
Cohen's death comes after the apparent suicide of would-be "Idol" contestant and Paula Abdul fanatic Paula Goodspeed, who, like Cohen, was ridiculed and flatly rejected by the judges during her audition.
On Nov. 12, 2008, Goodspeed parked her car a few doors down from Abdul's Los Angeles home and, according to L.A. police, died from an apparent overdose. At the time, Reuters reported that prescription pills, along with CDs and pictures of Abdul, were found in the car.
Reporting contributed by The Associated Press.