Jay Dee Springbett, Former Australian Idol Judge, Found Dead

Sad news today out of the Australian Idol family: Jay Dee Springbett, a former judge on that nation's version of American Idol, was found dead inside his Sydney apartment.

Friends say Springbett - who also served as an A&R executive  at Sony Music for six years - had been suffering from depression, but authorities say the death is "not suspicious."

No other details are available at the moment. Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand CEO Denis Handlin released the following statement after the news spread:

"Jay Dee was so very enthusiastic and passionate about his family, his music projects and his plans for the future. [He] was a great friend and larger-than-life charismatic character who will be missed enormously."

Our thoughts go out to Jay's family.