'D.C. Madam' kills herself in Florida

Tarpon Springs, Florida: A woman known as the "D.C. Madam" who was convicted two weeks ago of running a high-end Washington prostitution ring hanged herself on Thursday.

The body of Deborah Jeane Palfrey was found in a shed near her mother's home about 32km northwest of Tampa, Florida. Police said the 52-year-old Palfrey left at least two suicide notes and other writings to her family in a notebook, but they did not disclose their contents. Palfrey apparently hanged herself with nylon rope from the shed's ceiling. Her mother, Blanche Palfrey, discovered the body.

Her mother said there was no sign that her daughter was suicidal, and there was no immediate indication that alcohol or drugs were involved, police Captain Jeffrey Young said.

A man who answered a phone listed for Palfrey's mother declined to comment. "This is tragic news and my heart goes out to her mother," said attorney Preston Burton, who represented Deborah Jeane Palfrey in her trial. A federal jury convicted Palfrey on April 15 of running a prostitution service that catered to members of Washington's political elite, including Sen David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican.