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Billy Joel: Daughter "Is Going To Be Fine"


By

Ben Muessig

Published Dec 6, 2009

Modified Dec 6, 2009


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By

Ben Muessig

Published Dec 6, 2009

Modified Dec 6, 2009


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After his child was hospitalized following an apparent suicide attempt yesterday, Billy Joel says his 23-year-old daughter Alexa Ray Joel "is going to be fine."

Alexa Ray was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital yesterday after a roommate called 911 to report an “emotionally disturbed person” was “having trouble breathing” in their West Village apartment, the Times reports. The former NYU student was apparently conscious when medics arrived and told responders that she was upset after breaking up with her boyfriend — a bass guitarist in her band named Jimmy Riot.

According to the Daily News, law enforcement sources believe that Joel intentionally overdosed on eight sleeping pills — though a source close to the singer told the tabloid that she had only ingested a homeopathic antihistamine called Traumeel. Anonymous tipsters told Newsday that the pills didn't belong to her and that she did not consume them intentionally.

Alexa Ray's mother, supermodel Christie Brinkley, arrived at the hospital yesterday afternoon and stayed with her until her release a few hours later. Her father remained in his Sag Harbor home "so it didn't become a circus atmosphere," according to friends, who noted that he was in "constant phone contact."

A source said that Alexa Ray — who launched her singing career after dropping out of college and was scheduled to perform twice in Manhattan on Thursday — was dealing with some "emotional issues." "This may be a cry for help," the source said. "Christie loves Alexa, but she can be tough on her…Her mother was a supermodel. Her father is one of the biggest pop stars in America. She's trying to find her place in the world." The Post investigates the singer's MySpace page, where she has written about her dating struggles.

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alexa ray joel

billy joel

christie brinkley

overdose

sleeping pill

st vincent's

Suicide attempt


Ben Muessig

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