82-year-old former actress and Playboy model Yvette Vickers was found dead in her dilapidated Los Angeles home last Wednesday.

The once-stunningly beautiful blonde, who was seen briefly in Paul Newman‘s Oscar-winning movie Hud, had been living as a recluse for some time. Acting on the tips of and concern of neighbors who noticed Vickers mail piling up outdoors, police discovered the mummified remains of of the onetime 36″-24″-36″ starlet. The Los Angeles Times reports that Vickers could have been dead for almost a year.

An autopsy has been ordered but foul play is not suspected.

Her neighbor, actress Susan Savage, said:

“She kept to herself, had friends and seemed like a very independent spirit. To the end she still got cards and letter[s] from all over the world requesting photos and still wanting to be her friend.”

“We’ve all been crying about this. Nobody should be left alone like that.”

Boyd Magers, editor and publisher of the movie publication Western Clippings, was quoted saying the once ”bright, intelligent” actress grew “paranoid” in her later years and was convinced she was being stalked.

Vickers had a cameo in the famous movie Sunset Boulevard, and was also seen in cult films such as Attack of the 50 Foot Woman andAttack of the Giant Leeches.

What a sad way to go. RIP, Yvette.

[image: People]