Anna's Mom Lawyers Up

Posted Feb 13th 2007 2:48PM by TMZ Staff

Virgie Arthur and Larry BirkheadTMZ has learned Anna Nicole Smith's mother has hired a Florida lawyer to get Anna's body released for burial.

We've confirmed that Virgie Arthur has hired Coral Gables attorney Stephen Tunstall to secure the body. But there's a catch: There are two outstanding California court orders preventing burial. A judge has put a hold on the release of the body; a second order demands a DNA sample from Smith.

We're told Larry Birkhead's lawyer, Debra Opri, will ask a Miami court to "domesticate" both orders from the California court. If granted, the orders would have full force and effect in Florida. We're told Opri is making the requests in Florida today and tomorrow.

But there's a twist. We're told Birkhead has no objections to releasing the body, provided he gets a DNA sample sent to the lab he selected. For some reason, we're told Stephen Tunstall has not agreed to release the DNA to Birkhead's lab.

TMZ spoke with Tunstall, who said "I have been retained by Virgie. I do not wish to have any contact with anybody in the media."

Filed under: Anna Nicole Smith


Comments [177]
SphereBookmark and Share
4ie6

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 12) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. I just hope that icky woman has enough compassion for Anna and Daniel to let them be buried together.. I honestly think that will be the ONLY place Anna will be able to rest in peace....

Posted at 3:08PM on Feb 13th 2007 by savanna

2. This woman needs to crawl back under the rock that she came out from.

What she is doing absolutely makes me sick!

Posted at 3:09PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Angela

3. How absurd! You now Anna wanted to be buried next to her son Daniel. She hates her mother. What a nightmare.

Posted at 3:09PM on Feb 13th 2007 by becky

4. HOPE ANNA'S MOM CAN BURY HER CHILD IN PEACE.

Remember to her family she is still VickLynn Hogan. That's how they remember her. And I pray Anna's mom can peacfully raise Dannilynn. I can't really imagine the Mom going off on a shopping spree. I think she's really sincere.

After all, this is also her child.

Posted at 3:10PM on Feb 13th 2007 by praying 4 u

5. Anna's mother just needs to back off. First of all, she wants the publicity. She's gonna sell a bunch of interview with her about Anna's death so she can get the $$$. Anna hated her, let the people who really mattered to her work it out!

Posted at 3:14PM on Feb 13th 2007 by meee

6. Mama is an opportunistic manipulator just like her deceased daughter. How tacky. The woman hasn't even been buried yet.

Posted at 3:15PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Debra

7. Oh great. Yes, have her raise Dannielynn. This is the same woamn who RAISED VickyLynn. At least she already has the trailer park name.

The woman should bury Anna in a ditch and Larry should get Daniel's kid.

Posted at 3:15PM on Feb 13th 2007 by BJ

8. Anna's Mom, Virgie should go home and shut up!!!. Anna was very troubled and had a lot of issues as a result of her turbulent childhood. There is something WRONG with this woman. Anna would not have HATED her so much, if she were in fact a loving parent. She should not be able to touch Anna's baby as she raised Anna who maintained self destructive habits because of her mental instability. This Mother should be tried and sentenced for being an unfit parent. Did she not watch the interviews where Anna clearly state dthat she DESPISED HER!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:15PM on Feb 13th 2007 by VoodooQueen

9. I'm glad Vergie is moving forward in securing burial for her daughter. However, I'm sure if Anna had her wishes, she would want to hang out for as long as the publicity "hangs on". Three days or seven days folks is tops, put her in the ground already!!!! Will someone tell James Brown's family the same!!! Gawd! That being said, Larry truly does need to get DNA from the people he recommends, because at this point, I don't trust the autopsy report that was given to the public via TV; certainly after what TMZ reported what was in her fridge. Her fridge certainly does not look like my fridge. If you're not using, why carry?

Posted at 3:20PM on Feb 13th 2007 by JR

10. Virgie Arthur is a disgusting pig.

Posted at 3:24PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Jen Jolie

11. This lady is way too much! Her daughter said it on National T>V she can't stand this woman! and any Judge witht he right mind won't give her body to her! My gosh!

Posted at 3:24PM on Feb 13th 2007 by twinks!

12. This is a tragedy.. People seem to be missing the bigger picture.. an aledgedly overly jealous Howard K Stern.. Everyone who knew Anna could attest to Howard's controlling nature.

Some say he fostered Ana's anymosity with her mother. Although Anna and her mother had difficult periods (mainly due to her mom's disapproval), they seemed to have a change to reconcile with the birth of the baby... Many were surprised of "her" decision to go to the Bahamas. Anna was not one to run away from people; It seems to me Howard preferred to have her isolated.

He should be investigated.. His alledged control and emotional/mental mind games beat her down to the point that after Daniel's death, she no longer cared and agreed to marry him...

Posted at 3:36PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Scott

13. NEWS FLASH -- this is all about money. Not an innocent child. Nothing brings out the white trash like a little moolah. So freaking sad.

Posted at 3:37PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Her Jillness

14. some how my comments i sent didnt get posted.(Amended)

Anna's Mom Claims she didnt want any of her money but is more then willing to Take her body. Odd that her mother was the last person Anna wanted to even think of taking her. Then she was in the bahammas trying to get her Grandchild Lets see Danilyn Would be a sole heir to Millions of dollars If she got her grandchild guess what She would be control of her finaces till she was 18 (didnt want Anna's money HUH?) Like I said if Howard was the father He would have control of the money till she was 18. Then Again Like i said I feel bad if something happened before she turned 18 and ended up dead and all the money goes to Howard. Strange With Daniel out of the way and Anna and if he is the father of the girl she would still get the money. Money is the root of all evil and I still Think Howard Killed them off just a thought HKS isnt his initals it is Howard.Killed. the SMITHS

Besides already 5 people claimed to be the father of the baby the whos your daddy stock just keeps rising just like that old J.Lo Joke Give it a week/2 you would be married to her to but in reverse give it a week or two and you might admit as well to be the baby of Anna's Child LOL Money is always the root of all evil!!!

Posted at 3:41PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Stevidtude

15. Figures She would lawyer Up she claims she dont want any of Anna's money but She would take the body. Of course after all said and done I hope Anna's child father is release to the public and the Child can start having a life of some sorts And I hope it isnt Howard cause I feel he had something to do with the murders of Daneil and Anna. And if he is the father Lord have mercy on her cause he would gain control of the money she inhearited untill she was 18 but dont be shocked if she dont make it to 18 and left it all to howard all of the sudden this is how I see it HKS isnt just his Initials It stands for HOWARD KILLED THE SMITHS!!

Posted at 3:42PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Stevidtude

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments