Australian Idol's Kate Cook - who found her mother's body when she committed suicide - is now also found dead aged 36 after wandering alone into the bush at night
- Kate Cook, a country singer, was semi-finalist on 2009 series of Australian idol
- The 36-year-old was last seen wandering into the bush in Lowood, Queensland
- Her body was found 500 metres into the bushland on Monday morning
- Police are not treating the death as suspicious and tributes have poured in
Australian Idol contestant Kate Cook spoke candidly about finding her mother's body after she committed suicide days before the teenager's 17th birthday.
The 36-year-old's body was found in dense bushland near her home in Lowood, Queensland, on Monday morning.
Ten years before her tragic death, Cook shared the traumatic experience of losing her mother during her 2009 Australian Idol audition with shock-jock Kyle Sandilands and fellow judges, Marcia Hines and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson.
The country crooner's mum took her own life in 2000, nine years before the then 26-year-old was thrust into the Australian limelight on the talent show.
At the time, she said she struggled to speak about her parent's passing, but was able to do so through song lyrics.
Australian Idol contestant Kate Cook (pictured) spoke candidly about finding her mother's body after she committed suicide days before the teenager's 17th birthday
'When I lost my mum I went mustering up north, and that's when I wrote the song - I usually keep my emotions all inside, but writing songs helps me get it out in the open.'
Cook won the hearts of judges and the public during her audition.
'I had a long road to find myself, I've been lost for a long time,' she told Sandilands at the time.
'I've sort of found myself and my strength through music.'
Cook, who grew up playing guitar by the campfire, gave up her day job cutting meat in an abattoir to pursue a music career when she was 26.
She reached the semi finals with a moving performance dedicated to her mum, singing a song she wrote about her loss.
Australian Idol contestant and country music star Kate Cook (pictured in 2009) has been found dead
Sandilands said her story gave him goosebumps.
'When I first turned up to audition I thought I had no chance, there were that many people about,' Ms Cook said.
'Being Mother's Day weekend when I went up for auditions, I thought it was appropriate.
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'It was hard, but it came from the heart and I thought it would show the judges what I'm about.
The 36-year-old was last seen wandering off into the bush near her home in Lowood on Sunday night.
Tributes have poured in for singer since news of her death broke on Monday
Her body was found 500 metres into the bushland this morning after a police search.
Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
Tributes have poured in for the singer since news of her death broke.
Country music star and fellow Australian Idol contestant Casey Barnes wrote on social media: 'Absolutely devastated to hear of your passing today Cookie. This is the Kate Cook I remembered and loved.'
'We were only just talking about trying to organise a ten year Idol reunion later this year... you were a breath of fresh air and such a beautiful person inside and out.
'Hope you're up there with your mum now mate. Love ya.'
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Tragic: Tributes have poured in for singer (pictured in 2009), who was a semi-finalist on the 2009 series of Australian Idol
