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The death of Anna Nicole Smith was officially ruled an accident yesterday after tests revealed that the former Playmate of the Year had nine legal drugs in her blood — including a potent sleeping medication.
The coroner in Florida, where the former stripper was found unresponsive at a luxury hotel on February 8, ruled out murder or suicide, even though there was evidence that she had been depressed.
The ruling ended weeks of speculation over the role of her lawyer and boyfriend, Howard Stern, who is one of several men who claim to be the father of her newborn daughter, Dannielynn. The child has been dubbed the “billion-dollar baby” because she stands to inherit a fortune from Ms Smith’s late husband, the Texas oilman J. Howard Marshall II.
Charlie Tiger, the local police chief, said the investigation of Ms Smith’s death was now closed. “We are convinced, based on a thorough review of the evidence, that this has been an accidental overdose with no other criminal element present,” he said.
Dr Joshua Perper, the Broward County medical examiner, said a sedative called chloral hydrate had “tipped the balance” when added to the other drugs. “The chloral hydrate was taken as a syrup. There was about a quarter of a glass. The normal dose is about one to two teaspoons. She normally took much more, like two tablespoons. In this case, she exceeded that dose,” he said.
Dr Perper confirmed that Ms Smith, 39, suffered from depression after her 20-year-old son Daniel died of a drug overdose days after she gave birth to Dannielynn in September. She voiced suicidal thoughts at that time, but an incident in which she almost drowned in a swimming pool appears to have been the accidental result of drug use, he said.
Analysis of her computers showed that she had largely recovered from her depression and was in “good spirits.” Toxicology tests revealed that Ms Smith had used methadone, the painkiller that killed her son, days before she died. But the coroner said it played no role in her death because it was no longer present in her blood.
Tests found nine other medications in her blood, including Valium, Tylenol, weight-loss drugs, vitamin B-12, over-the-counter antiflu tablets, antibiotics and human growth hormone. “She had a history of multiple prescription drug use and overmedication in the past,” Dr Perper said.
The coroner said Ms Smith got a 105-degree fever from an infection caused by an injection of antiageing growth hormone that perforated an abcess in her buttock. He did not know who had administered the injection, but that it did not cause her death.
Ms Smith flew to Florida from the Bahamas with Mr Stern on February 5 and complained of pain and chills. She was prescribed antibiotics and antiflu medicine and given an ice-bath that brought her temperature down to 97 degrees.
Dr Perper suggested that Miss Smith might have been saved if she had heeded her companion’s advice to go to hospital when she was diagnosed with a high fever, but he added: “In my opinion, she was a very strong kind of woman and she was the one in command. If the boss is telling you ‘I do not want. . .’ you do not question the boss many times.”
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i have to say the cheek of some people going on she was this and done that im from northern ireland and i thought she was great and to have gone though so much hurt in her life and still stay strong for so long is amazeing.other people should have a good look at them selfs and stop thinking about her money i think it should go to the baby as it was her mother who workd hard for it not judges or lawyers her mum and that poor we thing has lost hers and people should think about that all my thoughts are with that chid and her familey.
liz, belfast, northern ireland
i think it was murder come on people why else wouldnt stern want to get a DNA test why was he fighting for them not to do it and to follow annas word that the baby was his if he was so confident that the baby was is he should say okay lets do a DNA test if he was so sure he shouldnt be scared of the facts am i right come on now what a tragic yes indeed but what happened happened and people should face the facts that are right in front of there face how dare people go and drive these people to this kind of tragedy and live with there lives if i was these people i wouldnt not want to live knowing that i was one of the hundreds that pushed her to drugs just to relax from all the lies the media was making about her... signing off
Rchard Flores, San Antonio, Texas
Depression..the darkest, longest, numbing tunnel ever experienced. Mental illness is not choice..,not now, not ever. Give the Lady some credit for being a powerhouse that carried many people and the strength that she had to endure so many disappointments and losses. Try walking in her shoes. Much love and prayers
Miss Donna, KC, MO
Accidental? how is this accidental when she should have never had all those drugs prescribed to her! Accidental when Howard knew all the drugs she had. Accidental when there was a supposive nurse taking care of her. Accidental when Howard claims he had to help her to the bathroom just a few hours before. Accidental that we keep all these meds within reach of a sucidal person? Dr Kavorgan was kinder to his patients! If she was running a 105 temp she would not have been able to get these meds for herself! She slept 8 hours the night before, so lets give her more Chloral hydrate right after she wakes up from the last dose. Closed case? Vergie, Larry come on have them investigate! You have the power to do so. Yes Anna did drugs, but at some point she was no longer in control, she was a danger to herself and that baby she could have been pink slipped! God help that little girl!
CL, Cleveland, Ohio
how did she get so much drugs ? she must of taken a big big BAG WITH HER TO GO SHOPPING FOR A NICE BOAT.
howard k. stern is smelling like a rose. he got to bury anna in the bahamas, she died of a accidential overdose, he is living in someones elses house and now poor daniel's life was taking from him because anna's baby has his last nameand he wants to live likea king. he didnot stay with anna nicole for ten years for someone else to get the inheritance. i hope that the baby is really his. i hope that there is not another accident. he didn't even ride with her in the ambulance to the hospital. so much love there.
patricia johnson, macon, georgia
I cant seem to understand how Anna Nicole was not more cautious with the amount of medication she was taken as well as with the combinations knowing that her son died similarly months before? Wouldn't a rational person relate to the reason why their son died and discuss with their doctor the possibility of a similar issue happenening to her? just a shame how she did not bother taken care of herself for her own daughter. That would be a huge regret from any mother.
Jackie, Miami, Florida
It really is amazing what Grieving for the loss of a child can cause a person to do. This was really tragic sense she left behind that beautiful baby girl. I hope soon she will get to be with her true father.
yvonne killion, springfield, IL
This is such a tragic story. Poor Anna. She was so beautiful and so innocent. She was misunderstood and criticized by many. It is unfortunate. Poor little Dannielynn. It is sickening about the men who claim to be her father. Quite the circus and everyone is money hungry. I hope Dannielynn's biological father will take exceptional care of her and hide her away from all this publicity so she can try to have a normal childhood. Probably impossible though. I just think this whole story is very, very sad. It is a shame that Anna did not have someone there who really cared about her. If she had, she would still be alive today stunning the world with her smile and beauty. She will be missed. Fame nor money is not everything. That is apparent by this tragic story.
Stacey, Hartland, USA
She should of went to the hostipal when her temp. was high..
Goes to show you reporter should stay out of peoples lifes!!
She was worried what the media would say!
A sad death to a beautiful women!
Tracy, Scottdale, Pa
The problem with Dr Joshua Perper statement is that a 1/4 glass means nothing. You take the chloral hydrate and mix it in water. So if she took 2 tablespoons and mixed it or she took 2 teaspoons worth, the amount of water doesn't matter. I am sure she took more than needed and her doctor should be look at for negligence. I take the same combination of chloral hydrate and temazepam and have never had any type of reaction, but I take it as recommended, not as a before breakfast cocktail.
Bill, Sicklerville, NJ
A lot of people do not understand the potency of drugs, legal or illegal, and just because someone is a celebrity doesn't mean they look up the lethal dosages before they take them. I know several people who dangerously mix alcohol and drugs or over medicate themselves all the time. And even though I tell them the dangers they don't listen. It's a very sad thing this happened.
Dreama, Columbus, USA
Perhaps these 'doctors to the stars' can be a little reckless about what they mix together. Especially hard, I would think when there are 3 different doctors involved plus one very strong-willed woman surrounded by an extremely reckless and viciously competetive media. So very, very sad. I would hope that after OJ and Anna Nicole, the media would make some effort to clean itself up.
Dianne, Chicago, USA
Yes, if Anna Nicole took about 1/4 cup of the chloryl hydrate that morning, according to what I can figure out, that is about 70% of a lethal dose, and seven times the recommended dose. Considering she took several doses the night before and the half life is at least 12 hours, say she slept 8 hours, that would surely bring her up to more than 100% of a lethal dose.
And this was accidental?
John, Greeneville, USA