Tug of War Over Anna's Body

TMZ has learned that a fight is brewing over Anna Nicole's lifeless body lying in a Florida morgue.

Sources tell TMZ that Anna's mother, Virgie Arthur, wants to claim her daughter's body as soon as possible, paving the way for a proper burial. But Anna's mother, TMZ has learned, is not the only one who wants to claim the former Playmate's body.

We're told Anna's people have contacted Larry Birkhead's reps and tried to bargain. You see, Birkhead has a legal hold on the body per a Los Angeles Judge. If Birkhead releases that hold, Anna's reps promise to give him a sample of her DNA. But here's the catch: Anna's reps have not agreed to give Birkhead a DNA sample of the baby.

Even if Birkhead strikes a deal, it's unlikely Stern could claim the body since he had no legal relationship with Anna -- they were never married. It would seem that in this battle, Anna's Anna Nicole Smith Gallery: Click to launch photosmother has the upper hand.


Reader Comments

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46. LMAO #9!! "Total Weekend at Bernie's".

Posted at 12:54PM on Feb 13th 2007 by standing_on_the_sidelines

47. If she had a will I think that will cover where she is buried and by whom.

From what I have read her will was not up tp date and has Daniel listed as the heir. Maybe because he was the father/brother of her children?

This gets better every minute. You know Anna would love all the attention.

TrimSpa (Slim Fast) Baby!!

Posted at 1:00PM on Feb 13th 2007 by BJ

48. OK - Let's kill the racists comments as Anna Nicole certainly believed in LUVING all men EQUALLY (I'm sure you've seen the photos by now, black, white, etc.)

One question-- What kind of man would keep a daughter's body away from their mother for a proper FAMILY burial -- oh -- that A**HOLE Howard K. Stern. But it's about to BACKFIRE !

Lucky for all, when the DNA is done, and eventually it will -- we will all hear the last of the name Howard K. Stern, as the world and Danielynn will no longer have a use for him.

And in case Howard K. Stern then becomes suicidal -- Hey Howard, there's an unused portion of Methodone conveniently located in the fridge. DRINK UP.

Posted at 1:40PM on Feb 13th 2007 by NO LOVE FOR HKS

49. Howard Stern is a moron that encouraged Anna to drink and do drugs. He wanted to marry her in the state that she was in b/c he knew that if he didn't he would get NOTHING of her estate. He's already claimed EXECUTOR...that's somewhat illegal in the US, since he is her attorney as well. It's called a "Conflict of Interrest"

That baby needs to get AWAY from the Stern family now!! I hear that they are already feeding that baby pills, to get her hooked like her mother so she can be a hooker/prostatute/stripper like she was!!! Anna didn't like her mom b/c her mom was a cop and didn't agree with her lifestyle and fought her to live a respectable life and not one of disgrace!!!

What was Anna famous for? Taking off her clothes, big boobs, and stupid enough to let drugs run her life. Get the paternity test over with...just get the proof and all the publicity will be over with.

Posted at 2:29PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Samantha Wright

50. Farrah, you're as useless as Howard K. Stern.

By a real sista that hates , Farrah--(the white prep boy)

Posted at 1:39PM on Feb 13th 2007 by shaniqua

51. last i heard anna talked to her mother after her son died until creepy stern made her hang up it was on the news last night. what are the odds of mother & son dying within 6 months of each other with one person person in the room with both??? stern was controlling its all about the money 2 out of the way only one left is the baby. stern is going to do what he has to do to get the money watch his next statement will be "i tried to get her to stop doing drugs but she would not listen" He fed them the drugs he is a vampire what is he on that he won't take a blood test?? the baby is now his meal ticket

Posted at 12:57PM on Feb 13th 2007 by annie

52. Kimmie 12:49 p.m., I agree with your post 100%

I've had to deal with drug addicts in my life, and they want to do their own thing and hang with people that support their lifestyle. If you say anything or disagree with them or encourage them to get help, you are the real enemy. Of course Anna looked at her mom and sister as enemies. Howard enabled her and supplied her with drugs. A real caring friend would want you to get help, not enable you. Her mom was absolutely right: She warned that Anna would be dead if she continued her lifestyle and hang around the people she did. Her mom isn't evil; She just knew the real Anna.

Posted at 1:00PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Michele

53. If anyone is concerned about Anna's baby, you can e-mail the Bahama's Government, I did, and even received a reply! If enough pressure is brought, hopefully they will do something to protect this innocent child. Already, they have had, Mr Stern at the police station twice yesterday. E-mail is WEBMASTER@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS
Connie

Posted at 1:32PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Connie

54. Anna was in control of everything. Howard was her puppet. She treated him like sh*t. He did whatever Anna wanted him to do. She made the choices, demands and decisions in that situation. Larry Butthead even said that he couldn't stop Anna from taking drugs. Apparently, her mother is a piece of sh*t also and that is why Howard is trying to prevent her from having Anna's Daughter (Anna's Wishes). Howard currently has control and can fulfill her wishes regarding her burial and lil Dannielynn. All of these people coming out of the woodwork now to lay claim on that baby is pathetic. The truth will eventually come out. In the meantime, Howard is executor of the will along with Mr. Rale (Anna's Atty.) and they have the authority to see that Anna's wishes are upheld. It's a shame that this tragedy has taken the turn that it has. When the truth does come out, it will be interesting to read all the comments. For now, let Howard have the body so she can finally rest. The paternity of the child will be a battle in the courts for quite sometime. Anna deserves to be laid to rest next to her son in the Bahamas as she wished.

Posted at 1:12PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Not Again

55. I think a parternity test should be done to rule once and for all who's Danielynn's daddy is. Her biological daddy deserves the chance to raise her. I don't believe it's Howard Stern and he knows it. Why would he want to block DNA testing? I think Danilynn's his meal ticket like someone said. She's going to inherit a fortune and Howard Stern wants it. If he's not her daddy then he's entitled to zip as they weren't legally married. Ha, ha, it comes back to bite him in the ass.
If ANS has a will then it should state on what should be done with her body when she dies. Let her be buried next to Daniel in the Bahamas if this is her wish. The body is on "ice" until at least 2/20 when the court will have another hearing on the paternity test. I don't understand why the court keeps blocking this. If was John Smith wanting a paternity test over Jane Doe's son/daughter they would do it in a heart beat! Quite delaying it, do it and get it over with once and for all!

Posted at 1:48PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Jeannette

56. #34, Howard was NOT in the room when Anna died in Florida. The nurse and her husband (Anna's Body Guard) were there. The bodygard is CPR certified, so I'm thinking he was the one to take charge and try to revive her.

Also, on the will. There was a will that was drafted in 2001, which left EVERYTHING to Daniel. Now that Daniel is gone, EVERYTHING goes to Dannielynn. Howard is simply listed as an executor of the will along with another person, I believe is an attorney as well. Howard did NOT draw up the will as Anna's attorney, another attorney drew that will up.

Posted at 2:44PM on Feb 13th 2007 by Sally

57. Why do you think Anna hated her mother? Because her mother was trying to get her off drugs. Whenever someone is telling you you are killing yourself with substance abuse, the abuser does everything he/she can to steer clear of that person. Her mother doesn't have to ask for money. She can give her own interviews if she wants cash. Howard K. Stern did everything in his power to keep Anna away from the people who could expose him for what he was trying to do to her. All you have to do is look at footage of Anna before Howard Stern. She was lucid, and alert, whereas after he came into her life, she got more and more bizare and wasted. I think the absolute worst she looked was right towards the end. She was really drugged to the max that last year of her life.

Posted at 1:16PM on Feb 13th 2007 by RIP ANNA

58. Anna should be put to rest with her boy....must of what she did was to scape her life in Texas with her mother....i always knew that after her son death it was only a matter of times before she die.
Yokolee

Posted at 7:48PM on Feb 14th 2007 by adela palenzuela

59. ITS A DISGRACE THE WAY PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DECEASED!!
WE SHOULD ALL BE PRAYING FOR ANNA, HER BABY AND THOSE WHO TRULY LOVED HER. SHE HAD ENOUGH SORROW ON EARTH, MAYBE SHE
WILL FINALLY FIND PEACE.

Posted at 1:12PM on Feb 13th 2007 by BECKY

60. Phyllis...ARE YOU NUTS?? You think Anna's family are media whores? What the hell do you think Howard Stern is doing? Staging the whole show on ET of his going home and getting the baby! It was disgusting! He robbed that house too, so that all those things could be either stored to sell later, or because there was incrimidating evidence to prove he did all this. Get with the real world! He made Anna do all those interviews, paid photos of their fake wedding ceremony, and the hospital footage. That guy never made a dime off anyone else but Anna. They proved it. There is no paper trail of his every practicing law except for Anna. This guy has alot of explaining to do, he's the scum of the earth. There is NO WAY you would let someone you love dissolve into the mess she became without a fight, unless there was something in it for you!

Posted at 1:17PM on Feb 13th 2007 by RIP ANNA

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