Australian Idol contestant star Kate Cook, 36, found dead

Australian Idol contestant and country music star Kate Cook has been found dead.

The 36-year-old was last seen wandering off into the bush near her home in Lowood, Queensland on Sunday night. 

Her body was found 500 metres into the bushland this morning after a police search.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Cook, who grew up playing guitar by the campfire, gave up her day job cutting meat in a abattoir to pursue a music career when she was 26.

She reached the semi finals of Australian Idol 2009 after she won the nation’s hearts with a moving performance dedicated to her mother who took her own life in 2000.

In her first audition, she told how her mother’s death affected her.

‘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.

‘It was hard, but it came from the heart and I thought it would show the judges what I’m about.

‘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.’

Tributes have poured in for singer since news of her death broke this afternoon

Tributes have poured in for singer since news of her death broke this afternoon. 

Country music star 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