Disc jockey DJ AM found dead at 36

NEW YORK -- DJ AM, the sought-after disc jockey who became a celebrity in his own right and was a regular at Las Vegas clubs, was found dead Friday in his apartment. He had a history of drug problems.

He had been scheduled to perform Friday night at Rain nightclub at the Palms, the club's publicist Dave Kirvin said.

New York police found a crack pipe and prescription pills in the Manhattan apartment, according to a law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

A friend had called police to say he couldn't get into the home in the trendy SoHo neighborhood. There was no evidence of foul play, and a medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

DJ AM, whose real name was Adam Goldstein, had talked openly about past addictions to crack cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs, but he claimed he had been drug-free for years.

His spokeswoman, Jenni Weinman, pleaded for privacy for his family.

In September, Goldstein, 36, was injured in a South Carolina plane crash that killed four people and seriously injured rock musician Travis Barker.

At the time, he told People magazine he was grateful to survive.

"I can't believe I made it," he said. "I've prayed every night for the past 10 years. There's a lot more to thank God for now. ... I was saved for a reason. Maybe I'm going to help someone else. I don't question it. All I know is I'm thankful to be here."

Goldstein rose to fame several years ago as highly sought-after DJ whose beats kept the dance floor packed and clubgoers hypnotized.

When he emerged on the Las Vegas celebrity scene in 2004, he was usually described as "Nicole Richie's boyfriend." But he was a certified draw worth competing for by the time Rain nightclub lured him away from Pure at Caesars Palace in April.

Goldstein launched his Palms residency with a kickoff party on April 24 at the hotel pool. He had been a marquee draw as resident deejay and affiliated with Pure since 2005.

He was reported as a celebrity investor in LAX nightclub at Luxor when it opened in 2007, and he and Barker teamed up for a performance inside the club in November of that year.

Celebrities and fans instantly shared their reactions to his death on Twitter, where "RIP DJ AM" was the No. 1 topic Friday.

"I'm stunned. Rest in peace Adam," singer-songwriter Josh Groban posted.

Review-Journal writer Mike Weatherford contributed to this report.