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Model's death remains a mystery | Model's death remains a mystery |
(10 minutes later) | |
An initial autopsy has failed to find the cause of Anna Nicole Smith's death, the doctor who carried it out has said. | An initial autopsy has failed to find the cause of Anna Nicole Smith's death, the doctor who carried it out has said. |
No illegal drugs were found at the scene of her death, and her stomach did not contain pills, experts say. | No illegal drugs were found at the scene of her death, and her stomach did not contain pills, experts say. |
But medical examiner Joseph Perper said he had not ruled out an overdose as a cause of death, and was waiting for the results of chemical analysis. | But medical examiner Joseph Perper said he had not ruled out an overdose as a cause of death, and was waiting for the results of chemical analysis. |
Ms Smith, a former Playboy model who fought a long battle for her late husband's estate, died on Thursday. | Ms Smith, a former Playboy model who fought a long battle for her late husband's estate, died on Thursday. |
She was 39 years old. | She was 39 years old. |
There is "no evidence... to suggest a crime occurred," Police Chief Charlie Tiger told reporters in Florida. | There is "no evidence... to suggest a crime occurred," Police Chief Charlie Tiger told reporters in Florida. |
But he said the investigation would remain open until Dr Perper, the Broward County medical examiner, completed his investigation. | But he said the investigation would remain open until Dr Perper, the Broward County medical examiner, completed his investigation. |
Dr Perper said that could take from three to five weeks. | Dr Perper said that could take from three to five weeks. |
"It is a medical puzzle which we have to resolve to get a comprehensive picture of what happened," he said. | |
Custody battle | Custody battle |
He said DNA samples had been taken from the late model. | He said DNA samples had been taken from the late model. |
"In every case in America, the examiner's office takes samples," he said. | "In every case in America, the examiner's office takes samples," he said. |
Smith is said to have been heartbroken at the death of her son | |
Ms Smith died only five months after the birth of her daughter - the subject of competing paternity claims. | Ms Smith died only five months after the birth of her daughter - the subject of competing paternity claims. |
More than one man claims to be the father of the child, who is potentially heir to a multi-million-dollar fortune. | |
Ms Smith married Texas oil billionaire J Howard Marshall II in 1994, not long after being named Playboy's Playmate of the Year. | Ms Smith married Texas oil billionaire J Howard Marshall II in 1994, not long after being named Playboy's Playmate of the Year. |
She was 26 and he was 89. | She was 26 and he was 89. |
He died 14 months later, setting the stage for a battle over his estate that pitted Ms Smith against Marshall's son. | He died 14 months later, setting the stage for a battle over his estate that pitted Ms Smith against Marshall's son. |
The case has not yet been resolved, even though Marshall's son died last year. | The case has not yet been resolved, even though Marshall's son died last year. |
Ms Smith's own son Daniel died in September, leaving her daughter as her only surviving offspring. | Ms Smith's own son Daniel died in September, leaving her daughter as her only surviving offspring. |
Both Ms Smith's lawyer and partner, Howard K Stern, and her ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead say they are the father of the baby. | |
Ms Smith said Mr Stern was the father, but Mr Birkhead was demanding DNA testing even before Ms Smith died. | |
A judge has ordered that Ms Smith's body be preserved until a paternity hearing later this month. |