Anna Nicole Smith is Dead

Posted Feb 8th 2007 9:00PM by TMZ Staff

Former Playboy Playmate and TRIMSPA spokesperson Anna Nicole Smith died Thursday afternoon after she was discovered unconscious in her hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. She was 39.

Cops say Smith's private nurse called a hotel operator at 1:38 PM EST. Before paramedics arrived on scene, Smith's bodyguard performed CPR. One of the first paramedics to arrive claimed that she was dead when he got there. Smith was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

The following is a detailed timeline of how today's shocking events unfolded.

Anna's Sister: Family is "Saddened and Heartbroken"

[7:43pm] Anna Nicole Smith's sister, Donna Hogan, has released this statement about the passing of Anna Nicole:

"On behalf of the Hogan Family, we are saddened and heartbroken by my sister's death. No matter what our differences have been over the years, Anna was still our blood and she will be missed terribly. She was a woman who was determined to get out of her small town in Texas and make a name for herself.

She became an international star and she was a good mother to Daniel; there is no doubt that her son loved her. They lived out of each other's pockets while he was alive and now they can finally be together again in Heaven.

We feel that the death of her son left her deeply saddened, a sadness she hid from everyone. As a mother of three children, I am anguished by this tragic event and the fact that her new baby daughter Dannielynn Hope is now without a mother."

Click here to listen to an MP3 of the statement.

Anna's Cousin: Family Worried About the Baby

[7:13pm] Barely able to maintain her composure, Anna Nicole Smith 's first cousin, Theresa Harrison, gave an exclusive statement to TMZ about her family's reaction to Anna's death.

"I have spoken with Anna's mom and aunt, and we are very worried about her baby. We hope that she has a better chance at life than her mom did. Anna had a very rough life."

Bahama Law: Howard Is Baby's Legal Guardian

[6:26pm] With the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith, Howard K. Stern has already assumed the title of "legal guardian" of Anna Nicole Smith's 5-month-old daughter Danielynn, according to the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

The law states, "On the death of the mother of a child, the father, if surviving, shall, subject to the provision of this Act, be guardian of the child, either alone or jointly with any guardian appointed by the mother. "

Smith named Stern as the father on Danielynn's Bahamian birth certificate. Stern, who appeared on "Larry King Live" and proclaimed that he was the father, is in a war of words with Larry Birkhead, Anna Nicole's former boyfriend who claims he's the daddy. Birkhead has filed legal papers in Los Angeles, asking a judge to order a paternity test.

Anna's Body Moved to Hospital VIP Area

[6:01pm] Sources inside Memorial Regional tell TMZ that Anna Nicole's body has been moved to a VIP section of the hospital, which is off-limits to everyone except for key hospital personnel and requires special keycards for entry.

A death certificate will be filed within 24 hours.

Anna's Body Moved

[5:04pm] Sources inside Memorial Regional tell TMZ that Anna Nicole's body has been moved to a VIP section of the hospital, which is off-limits to everyone except for key hospital personnel and requires special keycards for entry.

A death certificate will be filed within 24 hours.

Witness: Anna Already Dead en Route to Hospital

[4:56pm] A casino witness says that Anna Nicole's body was already covered when she arrived at Memorial Hospital, according to a report on CNN.

Cops -- Bodyguard Administered CPR

[4:37pm] According to Seminole, Florida Police Chief Charlie Tiger, Anna's bodyguard administered CPR before paramedics arrived.

Tiger also said that Anna's private nurse was with Anna at the hotel. He did not know why a nurse was with her.

Did Anna's Mom See This Coming?

[4:36pm] In October 2006, Anna Nicole Smith's mom, Virgie Arthur, told Nancy Grace on CNN Headline News that after the death of Anna's son, Daniel, she was concerned that Howard K. Stern was the one in line to inherit Anna's millions.

"If Howard Stern marries her and she ends up dead, then who does the money go [to]? Danny's not there," Arthur said.

Birkhead's Attorney: He is Not OK

[4:36pm] TMZ briefly contacted the attorney of Larry Birkhead, the man who says he is the father of Anna Nicole's baby. All she would say is that Larry "is not OK."

Investigation into Daniel's Death Will Continue

[4:29pm] In a statement to TMZ, the Chief Magistrate of the Bahamas, Roger Gomez, says "I am very sorry to hear of Anna's death. Our condolences go out to her family. The inquiry into the death of her son Daniel well still go on, even though she was a very important witness.

Guess Jeans -- "She didn't survive the loss of Daniel"

[6:52pm] Guess Jeans founder Paul Marciano, who employed Anna as a model in the 90s, has issued the following statement: "This is a very tragic and sad day. Personally I feel she did not survive the loss of her son Daniel, who was the love of her life."

Family Law Attorney: Anna's 1st Husband Could Sue

[6:31pm] TMZ spoke to a prominent family law attorney who says now that Anna Nicole has died, it's technically possible for Billy Smith, the father of Anna Nicole's late son Daniel, to sue Anna's estate for wrongful death.

A source in the Bahamas coroner's office has said a witness will testify that Howard K. Stern, Anna's companion and lawyer, allegedly gave Daniel methadone. At the time of his death, Daniel had a combination of seven drugs in his system, including multiple anti-depressants and methadone.

The coroner has stated they will conduct a formal inquest into Daniel's death.

Attorney: She Had "Flu-Like" Symptoms This Week

[5:58pm] Attorney Ron Rale says Anna had been under the weather with "flu-like symptoms" the past week and she "showed signs of a fever" last night. According to Rale, Anna's lawyer-turned-partner Howard K.Stern is at the Miami hospital now and is overwhelmingly distraught.

Attorney Says DNA to be Discussed in Court Friday

[5:49pm] Attorney Ron Rale, who had been representing Anna Nicole in her paternity battle with Larry Birkhead, tells TMZ there will be a court hearing tomorrow. He says he was contacted by reps for Larry Birkhead and they will go to court to discuss the matter of DNA testing.

Larry Birkhead's attorney also confirms that the emergency court hearing is set for tomorrow morning in Los Angeles.

TRIMSPA -- "We pray that she is granted peace"

[5:48pm] TRIMSPA has released the following statement regarding Anna Nicole's death: "Today, Anna Nicole Smith's grief stricken and tumultuous personal life came to an end. Anna came to our Company as a customer, but she departs it as a friend. While life for Anna Nicole was not easy these past few months, she held dear her husband, Howard K. Stern, her daughter, Dannielynn Hope, her most cherished friends, beloved dogs, and finally, her work with TRIMSPA. Anna knew both the joy of giving life, and the heartache of losing a child. We pray that she is granted the peace that eluded her more recent days on earth, and that she finds comfort in the presence of her son, Daniel."

Marshall Family Shocked by Anna's Death

[5:26pm] In a statement to the TV show "EXTRA," the family of J. Howard Marshall, Anna's late husband, said "Our family was shocked by the untimely death of Anna Nicole Smith. We wish to express our sympathies to her family in this difficult time. We understand that many of you will be asking questions concerning the ongoing litigation with Anna. Out of respect to her friends and family we will reserve comment on the litigation at this time."

Paramedic: Anna Was Not Alive When I Got to the Room

[5:24pm] NBC affiliate WTVJ in Miami did an on air interview with a Hollywood, Florida paramedic who was one of the first to arrive at Anna's hotel room after she was found unresponsive. The paramedic said she was not alive when he got to the room. Click here for audio.

Anna Autopsy to Take Place Tomorrow

[5:23pm] TMZ has spoken with Chief Coroner Johnson of the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office who tells us that an autopsy on Anna Nicole Smith will take place early tomorrow morning. Her body is now in their Ft. Lauderdale office.

Hugh Hefner "Saddened" by Anna's Death

[5:20pm] TMZ received a statement from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner:

"I am very saddened to learn about Anna Nicole's passing. She was a dear friend who meant a great deal to the Playboy family and to me personally. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and loved ones during this difficult time."

Hefner famously purchased the Westwood crypt where Marilyn Monroe is entombed. Monroe was the first Playboy Playmate. Anna was Playmate of the Year in 1993.

Anna's Publicist -- "I'm Sad, Not Shocked"

[4:32pm] David Granoff, Anna's former publicist, told MSNBC that he was "sad, but not shocked" by Anna's death. He added that there was "Just no spark in her anymore."

Screenwriter on Anna: "It's Not a Surprise"

[4:55pm] Bill Stroum, who co-wrote two movies that Anna Nicole Smith starred in during the 1990s ("To the Limit" and "Detour"), tells TMZ, "I am shocked, but it is not a surprise. I thought she would have died 10 years ago."

E! Releases Statement on Anna Nicole

[4:44pm] E! Network just released this statement on the death of Anna Nicole Smith:
"E! Networks is deeply saddened by the tragic news of Anna Nicole Smith's death. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."

Anna's reality show, "The Anna Nicole Show," aired on E! from 2002-2004.

Anna's Daughter is in the Bahamas

[4:18pm] People.com is reporting that Anna's 5-month-old daughter, Dannielynn Hope, was not with her at the time. Sources tell the magazine that she is being cared for in the Bahamas by the mother of Shane Gibson, a high-ranking Bahamian official who is a close friend of Smith's.

TMZ has also learned that the hotel room that Anna was occupying at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will be sealed off as a part of the investigation.

Cops to Weigh in on Anna Nicole

[4:10pm] TMZ has learned that the Seminole Police Department will participate in a press conference at the Hard Rock Hotel at 4:30 PM EST.

Medical Examiner to Pick Up Anna's Body

[4:08pm] TMZ has learned that the Broward County Medical Examiner has been dispatched to the hospital to retrieve the body of Anna Nicole Smith.

Anna Nicole Smith is Dead

[2:55pm] Anna Nicole Smith has died, this according to her attorney Ron Rale. She was 39.

Desperate attempts to save her life were made by paramedics en route to Memorial Regional Hospital. Smith did not survive, despite receiving CPR and emergency intubation to facilitate her breathing.

Smith was found unconscious in her hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Anna had been transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood just after 2:00 PM EST and died around 3:45 PM EST.

WFOR-TV in Miami reports that Anna was found unresponsive in her hotel room. Local streets were closed off to rush Smith to the hospital, three miles away. Paramedics were seen pumping her chest as she was taken from the hotel.

Anna had been hospitalized for a week last November with pneumonia. Daughter Dannielynn, subject of an ongoing DNA test battle, was born on September 7. Her son Daniel died of a drug overdose on September 10. People magazine is reporting that Dannielynn is in the Bahamas.

Anna was a frequent guest of the Hard Rock. Just one month ago, a playful Anna was caught showing off new body art to Hulk Hogan during a boxing match.

Filed under: Anna Nicole Smith