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Judge rules in Smith body dispute Burial in Bahamas for Anna Nicole
(about 1 hour later)
The guardian of Anna Nicole Smith's infant daughter has been awarded custody of the ex-model's body after six days of court hearings in Florida. Former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith is to be buried in the Bahamas, her infant daughter's guardian has said.
Judge Larry Seidlin said he wanted her to be buried in the Bahamas next to her son, but did not order that to happen. Attorney Richard Milstein said that Smith would be buried next to her son, who died there last year.
The decision about what happens to her body will now be made by attorney Richard Milstein. His announcement came shortly after a Florida judge awarded him custody of the former model's body amid a struggle between her mother and her partner.
Smith, a former Playboy Playmate who married an elderly billionaire in 1994, died on 8 February of unknown causes. Texas-born Smith, who married an elderly billionaire in 1994, died on 8 February of unknown causes.
Her death resulted in a struggle between her estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, and her partner, lawyer Howard K Stern, over where she would be buried. Her estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, wanted her to be buried in Texas, while her partner, lawyer Howard K Stern, wanted her laid to rest in the Bahamas, where she had latterly made her home.
The matter was further complicated by the testimony of her ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, who says he is the father of her five-month-old baby Dannielynn.The matter was further complicated by the testimony of her ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, who says he is the father of her five-month-old baby Dannielynn.
Cell phone witness Tearful verdict
During the six days of testimony, Judge Seidlin heard from all three, plus witnesses including a former bodyguard and ultimately Smith's ex-husband. The matter was decided after a six-day hearing in front of a Florida court.
Smith's death resulted in a tug of war over where she would be buried Judge Larry Seidlin heard from all three of the key players, plus witnesses including a former bodyguard.
The ex-husband, Billy Smith, testified over the speaker of a lawyer's cell phone, and said he thought Smith would have wanted to be buried next to her son in the Bahamas, where he died last year. The final witness was Smith's first husband, Billy Smith, who testified over the speaker of a lawyer's cell phone.
Legal experts have questioned why Judge Seidlin spent six days hearing about Smith's alleged drug use, health, rehab, boyfriends, family and career only to decide that the ex-model's next of kin should get the body. He said he thought Smith would have wanted to be buried next to their son.
Verging on tears, the judge directed the infant's court-appointed guardian, lawyer Richard Milstein, to consult with Ms Arthur, Mr Stern and Mr Birkhead before deciding where to bury the body. Judge Seidlin, who appeared tearful as he delivered his verdict, directed Mr Milstein to consult with Ms Arthur, Mr Stern and Mr Birkhead before deciding where to bury the body.
But he concluded: "I want her buried in the Bahamas with her son."But he concluded: "I want her buried in the Bahamas with her son."
The issue of Dannielynn's paternity remains to be decided by a second court. Mr Milstein, who Judge Seidlin appointed earlier in the week to represent Dannielynn's interests, later said that Smith would be buried in the Bahamas, but gave no timeframe.
The issue of Dannielynn's paternity is due to be decided by a second court on Friday.