Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, suffered even more humiliation in death yesterday (Jan. 5).
Besides living in squalor, she was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Meanwhile, friends created a spectacle fighting over her possessions in front of cameras.
Although her trust funds are reportedly made her worth millions of dollars, her father Robert Wood Johnson IV, owner of the New York Jets football team and family members had cut her off financially in a bid to force her into rehab.
But the heiress, who was raised in the lap of luxury on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, desperately clung to her lifestyle even though it drove her deep into debt.
She reportedly hid her leased Porsche Cayenne Turbo S in a garage to keep it from being repossessed, but lost it anyway.
The car retails for about $120,000 and she owed $106,000 to Porsche Financial Services, according to court papers cited by TMZ.com.
Last month, a judge ordered her to pay $20,189 to Elizabeth Rose Agency, which provided nannies for Johnson’s adopted a daughter, Ava, now 3.
Johnson’s mother Sele Johnson took the child from Casey earlier this year after she became concerned about the baby’s welfare.
Sources said her house was filthy with dirty dishes piled everywhere and rotting food in the kitchen. Graffiti covered the walls and the pool was described as a swamp.
The electricity had been cut off and other reports claim the property was rat infested.
In another indignity, police were summoned to her house yesterday (Jan. 6) after two of Casey’s longtime friends Nicky Hilton and Bijou Phillips showed up to collect her dogs and some personal belongings.
Johnson grew up with Nicky and Paris Hilton, heiresses in their own right to the Hilton Hotels fortune. Nicky is godmother to Johnson’s adopted daughter Ava, 3.
Although she had a string of lesbian relationships, Johnson and reality television star Tila Tequila, aka Tila Nguyen, announced their engagement in December.
When Hilton and Phillips arrived at the rented house, Tila called police even though she knew through her assistant that the two were coming over to pick up the pets and other things, according to one report.
Many of Johnsons long-time friends have criticized Tequila for milking Johnson’s death for publicity. Tila threw a major fit as paparazzi filmed the scene and has been Twittering almost non-stop about the death.
Hilton and Phillips left with Johnson’s aged poodle Zoey, along dresses and furs while Tila “stood screaming,” according to Radaronline.
Casey was found dead around Monday in her L.A. home. The determination as to the cause of death is awaiting toxicology tests.
Nicky Hilton hosted a memorial on Tuesday night, but Tila was not invited. Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Alexandra von Furstenberg and Brandon Davis were among those who attended, according to The New York Daily News.
Johnson’s sisters have reportedly flown to California to claim the body and bring it back to New York for burial.
