Anna Nicole Died of Drug Overdose

Mar 27, 05:00 AM

Current Headlines: By Karen Thomas

In the end, it was an accidental drug overdose that killed Anna Nicole Smith, Florida officials announced Monday.

Broward County medical examiner Joshua Perper and Seminole Police Chief Charlie Tiger say they found nine different drugs in Smith's blood system, including the pain reliever methadone, chloral hydrate (a hypnotic drug used to treat insomnia) and three different drugs used to treat depression and anxiety, including Valium.

The autopsy results come more than six weeks after Smith, 39, was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Hollywood, Fla., Feb. 8. She died several hours later at a nearby hospital. The autopsy "essentially closes the case on the death of Anna Nicole Smith," Tiger told reporters, adding that police found no signs of foul play or criminal elements. They also found no illegal drugs.

Perper told reporters Smith was feeling ill days before she died and had been prescribed Tamiflu, plus an antibiotic for a bacterial infection caused by a needle prick in her left buttock to inject medication. He said the infections were being effectively treated, but they did contribute to her death.

The medical examiner also outlined a series of drugs Smith had been routinely taking, including vitamin B12, human growth hormone and diet aids.

Smith's death sparked several complicated legal battles in Los Angeles, Miami and the Bahamas. At least three men claim to have fathered Smith's 6-month-old daughter, Dannielynn, who stands to inherit millions. Family members and friends also fought over custody of Smith's body, delaying burial and funeral arrangements for more than three weeks. The Texas-born pinup was buried March 2 in the Bahamas. (c) Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.