NEW YORK — DJ AM, one of the world's most sought-after disc jockeys, was found dead Friday afternoon inside a New York City apartment. He was 36.
An official cause of death has not been revealed, but authorities tell the Associated Press that there was drug paraphernalia inside the home where DJ AM was discovered.
DJ AM, whose real name was Adam Michael Goldstein, grew up in Philadelphia before hitting it big in the nightclub scene. His high-profile gig led to him dating several stars, including TV personality Nicole Richie and actress-singer Mandy Moore.
DJ AM's death comes nearly a year after he and Blink-182 musician Travis Barker were the lone survivors in a South Carolina plane crash that killed four people.
"It's something that I struggle with every day, you know, kind of wondering," he said last month of his brush with death at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. "But I've just realized I'm never really going to know. I'm alive, and I'm here, and I have another chance. So I have to do something better with my life this time."
DJ AM's last event was a gig at the club he shared part ownership in — Dusk at Caesar's Atlantic City on Tuesday night.
"We are devastated by the loss of Adam Goldstein, our dear friend and valued member of the Dusk family," Dusk management said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. He was a true talent who will be greatly missed."
DJ AM publicly discussed the many challenges that he faced in his life. Last year, he revealed that he was abused by his father, became addicted to drugs, and had attempted suicide. In a message posted on his Twitter page Thursday night, he hinted that all was not right in his life.
"New york, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in new york ain't always what it seems," he Tweeted.
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