American Idol Castoff Killed After Being Struck by Car

Alexis Cohen, best known for her viral video rant post-AI audition, was found dead in New Jersey after being hit by an automobile early Saturday morning

By Megan Masters Jul 26, 2009 4:01 PMTags

One of American Idol's angiest and more memorable contestants was struck and killed by a car early Saturday morning.

Alexis Cohen, 25, was found dead in New Jersey shore town Seaside Heights, reports The Ashbury Park Press, in what authorities are calling an apparent homicide.

Cohen rose to reality stardom when her 2007 Idol audition resulted in the now infamous viral video face-off with Simon Cowell. After being dismissed from the first of her two auditions, the foul-mouthed contestant claimed to "march to the beat of a different drummer," went on a bird-flipping rant aimed at the brutally honest judge and proceeded to "leave with [her] dignity."

Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office says that an autopsy has been conducted, revealing that the Allentown, Pa. native suffered chest, abdominal and closed head injuries as a result of the collison.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into Cohen's death, asking anyone with information on the homicide to come forward.

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