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Model's death remains a mystery | Model's death remains a mystery |
(about 3 hours 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. |
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, 39, a former Playboy model who fought a long battle for her late husband's estate, died on Thursday. | |
Attention is now focusing on a battle between three men over the paternity of her five-month-old daughter Dannielynn. | |
'Medical puzzle' | |
Seminole Police Chief Charlie Tiger told journalists that there was "no evidence" to suggest that Ms Smith's death was the result of a crime. | |
Smith is said to have been heartbroken at the death of her son | |
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. | "It is a medical puzzle which we have to resolve to get a comprehensive picture of what happened," he said. |
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. |
Custody battle | |
Ms Smith died only five months after the birth of her daughter. | |
Three men are now claiming 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. 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. | 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. | Ms Smith said Mr Stern was the father, but Mr Birkhead was demanding DNA testing even before Ms Smith died. |
The husband of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Prince Frederick von Anhalt, also says he may be the father. | |
A judge has ordered that Ms Smith's body be preserved until a paternity hearing later this month. | A judge has ordered that Ms Smith's body be preserved until a paternity hearing later this month. |