Born into great wealth, Casey Johnson struggled in L.A. fast lane

Casey Johnson was an heiress to one of the world’s great fortunes, grew up privileged in Manhattan with socialites Paris and Nicky Hilton and eventually moved to Los Angeles where she became a familiar face in the Hollywood party scene.

But amid a gilded existence Johnson also struggled. She was diagnosed with diabetes, battled drug addiction, had strained relations with her family and last month was hit with criminal charges for allegedly breaking into the home of a girlfriend and taking $22,000 in property.

On Monday, the 30-year-old was found dead at her Westside home. A definitive cause won’t be clear for more than a month, according to Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

But a preliminary investigation by police homicide investigators found nothing to suggest that Johnson died of anything other natural causes. And sources within the police department -- who spoke on the condition that they not be named because it was an ongoing investigation -- believe the cause is “medically related.” An autopsy performed Tuesday was inconclusive and the cause of death was deferred four to six weeks, pending the outcome of toxicology tests, Winter said.

Winter said his office had received information that Johnson had a history of diabetes but could not immediately say what role, if any, it played in her death. “We are still conducting our investigation,” Winter said.

The personal life of Johnson, the daughter of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and the girlfriend of reality TV star Tila Tequila, has long been a staple for the celebrity gossip sites and tabloids including Page Six, which dubbed her the “baby-oil heiress.” Johnson called it “the stupidest mistake of my life" to turn down an invitation from pal Paris Hilton to co-star on “The Simple Life.”  The role went to Nicole Richie. Johnson was featured in “It Girls,” a 2002 documentary about the young and rich in Manhattan.

There were signs of strain in Johnson’s life in the last few years.

She became locked in a struggle with her mother over custody of Ava-Monroe, a baby Johnson adopted in 2007 from Kazakhstan.

Most recently Johnson was arrested and charged in December in connection with a break-in at the home of Jasmine Lennard, another reality television star and former girlfriend. Johnson was charged with first-degree residential burglary and receiving stolen property after allegedly taking $22,000 in clothing, jewelry, handbags, personal mail and other items. Johnson pleaded not guilty and was due back in court Feb. 11 for a preliminary hearing.

On Tuesday, Friends expressed sadness at her untimely passing. "I feel so sad right now, my heart is in pain. Just lost a longtime friend. My heart goes out to her family. R.I.P. Casey Johnson," Paris Hilton wrote on her Twitter page. "In bed crying, looking at baby pictures of Casey, Nicky and I. I feel so upset. I feel like I’ve lost a sister. My heart is broken."

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Lornaj]

I like it when people give information that is the truth, but do want to be named as the source. The corner's office has a Big problem with so called leaked information.

[Jack]

Thank you for not ending the column without knowing definitively what Paris HIlton thought on the issue. That is so important.

[Angela Bourns]

To whom much is given, much is expected. The real tragedy is that she was given every advantage in life and did nothing with it. How sad to die alone and be discovered by a maid probably days later. I hope her family is able to find some peace.

[Bill Wilkins]

This is a very sad story, but it is not hard to see what may have happened here. Many years ago in Los Angeles I had a serious relationship with a wonderful 24 year old woman who was a diabetic. I worked at KROQ at that time, and it was a constant and delicate balance between our party life, and what could tip her diabetic condition over the top. Both, the opportunities to party and socialize, as well as the desire to 'live big' while young, were constant drivers for both of us. Between the demands of work and the constant high-brow social opportunities we found ourselves with chronic sleep depravation, sometimes nasty mixes of alcohol and drug consumption, not to mention the stresses of everyday financial and social life. It's easy to see how Casey Johnson could hit a physical weak spot within that lifestyle, especially during the plethora of LA holiday parties. My point here, is that all of you LA (and New York) entertainment folks need to be careful when you have medical conditions like this. My best New Years wishes to all readers.

Bill Wilkins
Melted Metal Web Radio

[Leo Hansen]

Sometimes the sole purpose of a person's life is to serve as a warning to others.

[Dave]

Who really cares??? don't you have anything interesting to report??

[kanank]

Not newsworthy and a complete garbage. LA times could save money by laying off writers of this kind of articles about people who contribute northing to this soceity.

[Mr. Hogan]

It is a tragedy this woman died at such a young age but, it seems to me she never really grew up and became an adult. She was 30 years old but still acted like she was 18 or 19 years old. Her life was still a mess even with great wealth.