Drug Combo Blamed In Smith's Death

Pathologist Issues Report; Authorities Await 'Official Results'

(CBS/AP) 

He conducted the autopsy Sept. 17 at a downtown Nassau morgue, and signed a death certificate with the official pathologist who listed the cause as pending toxicology reports. He had previously ruled out the possibility of suicide or homicide.

Wecht said he would share his results Thursday with the examiner who conducted the official autopsy, but did not know whether they would issue a joint report on the cause.

In Nassau, Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez said he has not yet received official toxicology results, which will determine whether a jury inquest into the death is necessary. He declined to comment on Wecht's findings.

Howard K. Stern, a lawyer for Anna Nicole Smith who was in the hospital room when Daniel died, told CNN's "Larry King Live" on Tuesday that he is the father of the 3-week-old baby girl, Dannie Lynn Hope.

But photographer Larry Birkhead, a former boyfriend of Anna Nicole Smith, told Us Weekly magazine that he's the father and is seeking a DNA test to prove it.

In an interview with the magazine, Birkhead called Stern's comments to Larry King "laughable."

"I am not surprised he would say this but I am laughing at it. Larry King didn't even believe Howard," Birkhead said.

According to "Entertainment Tonight," Birkhead claimed that the baby girl was the result of a relationship that started in 2004, when he was hired to take photos of Anna Nicole.

"I have asked for a DNA test and I welcome it," Birkhead told US.

Birkhead seems confident about the outcome of a paternity test, should it come to that (no word yet on whether that is happening). "I am in good spirits this morning because I know I am the father of the child," he told the magazine. "I look forward to having a relationship with my new daughter."

Stern said he plans to marry the 38-year-old celebrity "at some point."

"Right now we have to somehow get through what we're going through," Stern told King, adding: "And I'll tell you, our baby is the one ray of hope."

Daniel Smith, who appeared several times on the E! reality series "The Anna Nicole Show," was the son of Anna Nicole and Bill Smith, who married in 1985 and divorced two years later.

Anna Nicole married Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II in 1994, when she was 26 and he was 89. He died the following year and she has since been involved in legal disputes over the estate.

[vipaka]

Amen, gmond! Help somebody to find themself. Love and heart gifts never fail. When you help others, you help yourself.

[gmond]

Methadone can be lethal to those unused to it, maybe the poor kid was trying to find another way to self-medicate, since he obviously wasn't getting any real help from his therapist.

What I find really appalling in all this is the typical pill-therapy most so-called psychiatrists are using. Instead of treating the patient, just medicate him.

I can imagine the psychiatric decision: "Just take this pill and you'll feel better, and I'll feel better since I won't have to listen to you whine at me or have to put any thought into your situation."

This kid was depressed over a girlfriend, he didn't need pills, he needed support and therapy, guidance and analysis. Everything you are expecting when you pay a psychiatrist for treatment.

[jdeltoro1]

I hope Anna Nicole is doing well with her new daughter. May God give her strength during this time of sorrow, as well as to all mothers who have gone through a smilar experience.

[artashajiee]

Anna,I'm so sorry.Your son was looked like an Angel.You know that.Right now he is so close to god.I'm writting you from overseas and muslim country and it would be a little odd for you.But good girl be strong like always,like before,like past cloudy days.take care,stay healthy just for your little sweet baby girl.

[glnnglnn-2009]

I feel for Anna Nicole. She did a fine job raising Daniel and he clearly loved his Mother deeply.
Your daughter needs you now Anna Nicole. God Bless all three of you.

[zanna5]

Could you re-air your two part series on Methadone? Ms Smith did the report.

A NOPE Mom

[flolake]

Did this young man have a prescription for Methadone? If so, it was likely an unintentional overdose and a lawsuit will surely follow. If he did not have a script for Methadone, every effort should be made to find its source for proscecution.

[karmah1]

the drugs listed have been safely used to treat depression anxiety and other simular disorders methadone is now being used for other reasons than drug adiction of course there is always a possibility of interactions and amts of drug taken can be a factor during a sad time like this there is no reason for crual remarks!

[vvalen26]

Some of the comments below are pretty heartless! Nobody is a perfect mother...I'm sure some of you haven't been a good influence at one point in your life! This is a mother, a human being, who has just lost her son. You guys need to stop being so ignorant! She isn't that bad...her life represents someone who had dreams, someone who wanted a better life for her son! Atleast she didn't become a prostitute or something. She has been a successful model and a hardworking single mother! Don't hate on her because some of you wish you were rich or a celebrity like her! Nobody lives a life of perfection, we are all sinners...so don't judge her, let God be the judge!!

[danimal50]

It makes no difference if you are rich or poor, black or white, smart or dumb, old or young, pleasant or otherwise --- to lose a child has to be the worst experience a human being can ever have.
Certainly there are some awfully hard hearts out there to be pointing fingers and throwing stones when a mother --- any mother --- has lost her only boy.
He's dead. Have you no feelings at all?
tsk, tsk, tsk --- shame on you.

[cyndi1963ny]

I think a door entrance key card would be a safety messure for getting into the schools with security cameras located at access points.just an input of My opinion or even some sort of fingerprint access,with all the horror going on these days it's something to think about.Thank-You..

[cantshutup]

this poor kid...it's a tragedy and mom bares much of the responsibility...maybe she'll make better choices the second time around...now's her chance, i hope she sees that...whatever she was trying to NOT feel with her doped up antics, i'm sure she won't be able to find anything to suppress the pain of loosing her son...rest in peace daniel

[thomderr]

I don't know why this came to mind but, to quote a song by the Eagles, "Life in the fast lane ... surely make you loose your mind."
Nevertheless, mom should have been a better influence.

[ajmforlife]

No one should have to endure the loss of a child our children are supposed to out live us. No matter how Anna Nicole portrays herself on t.v is no excuse for her losing a child. people need to stop hating because she made it when they didn't. Our thoughts are with Anna and her family. Stay strong Anna.