Idol Hit-and-Run Suspect Was Fleeing Cops

(NEWSER) - A feisty former American Idol contestant who boldly lashed out at Simon Cowell has been killed in a hit-and-run accident in a Jersey seaside resort, reports the New York Daily News. Alexis Cohen, known to TV viewers as "Glitter Girl" because of the glitter she wore during an Idol song, was found crumpled along a roadway in Seaside Heights. "It appeared she sustained multiple injuries as a result of a motor vehicle hitting her and leaving the scene," said a police official. More»

(NEWSER) - A suspect has been arrested in the hit-and-run death of sassy former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen, TMZ reports. Her body was found by a New Jersey roadway over the weekend, 350 yards from her parked car. The 23-year-old driver faces charges of reckless driving causing death and leaving the scene of an accident. He could be sentenced to up to 15 years in jail if found guilty. More»

Huge send-off planned for Friday

(NEWSER) - Whitney Houston is back home in New Jersey, where family members are planning to let fans say farewell at a service for the late singer. A gold hearse took Houston's body from the airport to a funeral home in her hometown of Newark, reports the BBC . Her family hopes to use the city's 18,000-capacity Prudential Center for a wake on Thursday, and a funeral on Friday, sources tell the New York Times . More»

Cohen had been at a bar, could've 'walked into the vehicle': lawyer

(NEWSER) - The 23-year-old charged in the hit-and-run death of American Idol wannabe Alexis Cohen will plead not guilty on all counts, his lawyer tells People. Daniel Bark is mounting a tough defense case, says the lawyer. “We don't have anything in regards to the mechanics of how this young woman was killed,” he says, noting that no witnesses have presented themselves. More»

Physician reportedly gave singer an injection before he died

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson's doctor has apparently gone AWOL, TMZ reports. Authorities want to interview him but can't find him, sources say. Cops towed his BMW from Jackson's house last night. One source says the doctor gave Jackson an injection, possibly of the morphine-like drug Demerol, before he died. The LA coroner, meanwhile, has begun Jackson's autopsy, though results may not be known for weeks, reports the Los Angeles Times. More»