The American Idol contestant found dead outside Paula Abdul's home had reportedly sent the TV judge flowers just days before the tragedy.

Abdul is said to have received a bouquet last week with a note attached that read: "Love, J.T. Hope you're doing great. Here's my new cell number."

The singer assumed the gift was from her former beau J.T. Torregiani - but when he told her he had not changed his phone number, she realised it was from obsessed fan Paula Goodspeed.

A source tells People.com, "The flower thing was really scary - Paula really couldn't handle that. She was terrified."

Goodspeed was found dead in her car close to Abdul's home in Sherman Oaks, California on Tuesday evening. Police believe she died from a drug overdose.

She is said to have become obsessed with Abdul after a brief audition on American Idol.

But a niece of Goodspeed's denied she had been stalking Abdul - and refuted claims she changed her name from Sandra to Paula because of her attachment to the star.

Sonja McIntyre tells People.com, "She just liked the name Paula... She was a good person. She'd give the shirt off her back for anyone who needed it. She was not suicidal."