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Autopsy on Playboy model starts Playboy model's autopsy conducted
(10 minutes later)
A post mortem examination is being carried out on the body of Anna Nicole Smith, a former Playboy model and widow of an octogenarian oil tycoon.A post mortem examination is being carried out on the body of Anna Nicole Smith, a former Playboy model and widow of an octogenarian oil tycoon.
The 39-year-old was found unconscious in a Florida hotel late on Thursday and could not be resuscitated in hospital.The 39-year-old was found unconscious in a Florida hotel late on Thursday and could not be resuscitated in hospital.
Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, said she believed drugs could have played a role in her daughter's death. A judge has now ordered that Smith's body be preserved until a hearing on a paternity row over her young daughter.
The model spent much of the past decade in the limelight in a bitter feud over tycoon Howard Marshall II's will.The model spent much of the past decade in the limelight in a bitter feud over tycoon Howard Marshall II's will.
An emergency hearing into her baby's paternity, disputed by her partner and an ex-boyfriend is also expected. Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, said she believed drugs could have played a role in her daughter's death.
Larry Birkhead, a former boyfriend who says he is the father of Smith's five-month-old daughter has filed an emergency motion seeking DNA from the body of the former model to verify his claim.Larry Birkhead, a former boyfriend who says he is the father of Smith's five-month-old daughter has filed an emergency motion seeking DNA from the body of the former model to verify his claim.
Howard Stern, the model's lawyer and partner, says he is the father.Howard Stern, the model's lawyer and partner, says he is the father.
Smith's 20-year-old son, Daniel, died days after the girl's birth.Smith's 20-year-old son, Daniel, died days after the girl's birth.
'Too many drugs''Too many drugs'
The autopsy began shortly after 0900 local time (1400 GMT) at Broward County medical examiner's office in Florida.The autopsy began shortly after 0900 local time (1400 GMT) at Broward County medical examiner's office in Florida.
Dr Joshua Perper, who is performing the autopsy, said if Smith had not died of natural causes the findings of the post mortem examination would not be immediately announced.Dr Joshua Perper, who is performing the autopsy, said if Smith had not died of natural causes the findings of the post mortem examination would not be immediately announced.
"I am not a prophet, and I cannot tell you before the autopsy what I am going to find," Mr Perper said."I am not a prophet, and I cannot tell you before the autopsy what I am going to find," Mr Perper said.
Obituary: Anna Nicole Smith A life in picturesObituary: Anna Nicole Smith A life in pictures
Meanwhile, Mrs Arthur said she believed her daughter was abusing drugs.Meanwhile, Mrs Arthur said she believed her daughter was abusing drugs.
"I think she had too many drugs," she told ABC television."I think she had too many drugs," she told ABC television.
"I tried to warn her about the drugs and the people she hung around She didn't listen. She was too drugged up. The last interview I saw of her, she was so wasted," Mrs Arthur said."I tried to warn her about the drugs and the people she hung around She didn't listen. She was too drugged up. The last interview I saw of her, she was so wasted," Mrs Arthur said.
But Smith's lawyer, Ron Rale, told NBC that she "sounded fine" when he had talked to her recently.But Smith's lawyer, Ron Rale, told NBC that she "sounded fine" when he had talked to her recently.
"She's been obviously grieving still over Daniel and depressed but I didn't have any indication that she was on any medication or sedation," he said."She's been obviously grieving still over Daniel and depressed but I didn't have any indication that she was on any medication or sedation," he said.
Courtroom battlesCourtroom battles
Smith was born Vicki Lynn Hogan in Mexia, Texas, on 28 Nov 1967.Smith was born Vicki Lynn Hogan in Mexia, Texas, on 28 Nov 1967.
A former topless dancer, she achieved considerable success as a model.A former topless dancer, she achieved considerable success as a model.
She was named Playboy's playmate of the year in 1993 and secured a lucrative contract with Guess Jeans.She was named Playboy's playmate of the year in 1993 and secured a lucrative contract with Guess Jeans.
In 1994, she married the 89-year-old Howard Marshall II after he repeatedly proposed to her.In 1994, she married the 89-year-old Howard Marshall II after he repeatedly proposed to her.
His death just 14 months later triggered a long feud with his family over the inheritance of his estate which saw Smith make regular courtroom appearances.His death just 14 months later triggered a long feud with his family over the inheritance of his estate which saw Smith make regular courtroom appearances.