Exclusive: Anna Nicole Death “Suspicions” Case No. 2007-01309 Under Investigation We Have a Letter from Homicide Trial Unit
Law enforcement sources tell me investigators in charge of the Anna Nicole Smith death investigation want to examine two laptops and an external hard drive taken from her home in the Bahamas in search of clues to why the 39-year old sex symbol suddenly came down with “flu-like symptoms,” then mysteriously died at the Hard Rock Casino Hotel in Hollywood, Fla. Feb. 8.
“There’s an interest in reviewing the items to see if they may assist in investigating a death that is untimely at the very least,” one law enforcement official told me. Last week, investigators recovered some of the items. “No one has used the word ‘“suspicious,’ but it’s obvious they have suspicions that are causing them to look deeper into it.”
Investigators from the Seminole Police Department overseeing the death probe flew to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last week to collect Anna Nicole’s property from the Horry County Sheriff. How did the alleged stolen property get from the Bahamas to Myrtle Beach? They flew first class, with Anna Nicole Smith confidante Ford Shelley, who lives there and has a home in the Bahamas.
He handed them over to the sheriff after admitting he’d taken the computers, videotapes and papers from her home in the Bahamas. Ford’s father in law is wealthy real estate developer Ben Thompson, who sold the ex-Playboy model a home on the island she used to obtain permanent resident status.
Sources tell us Shelley claimed the dead celebrity asked him to rescue her possessions, including a personal videotape of her face-painting with Shelley’s daughter, if anything ever happened to her. “He told us she didn’t’ want them falling into the wrong hands,” says Paul Butler the chief deputy of Horry Countyt.
When Shelley learned Howard K. Stern had filed burglary charges in the Bahamas, claiming the items were stolen, he retained a top local lawyer, Tommy Brittain, who recommended he hand the purloined property over to a neutral party — the sheriff.
One missing video he shot of an obviously intoxicated or stoned Anna Nicole painting her face to look like a clown turned up on Greta Van Sustern’s Fox News Show. Shelley appeared on the same show, portraying Anna Nicole boyfriend Howard K. Stern as a Svengali who appeared to enable her drug-taking. On the tape, you can hear Stern asked if she’s on a mushroom trip, then keeps shooting and mentions the tape will be worth money.
It’s unclear if Shelley turned this specific video over to police, copied it or kept it–or gave it to FOX News. As for the laptops, a top law enforcement source familiar with the case tells me the investigators will have to establish who owns the tapes and computers, then convince a judge there’s enough probable cause a crime was committed to issue search warrant so they can actually examine them.
Although Anna Nicole’s mother, Vergie Arthur, has accused Stern of killing both her daughter and Daniel Smith, the son who died from an overdose of anti depressants and methadone that Anna Nicole was also using, there’s no evidence of foul play.
If they do get inside, investigators hope the hard drives and e-mails may reveal data on any prescription drug use—how much she was ordering, how she got them, how they were paid for and any other medical conditions. Dr. Joshua Perper, the Broward medical examiner, has said no pills were found in her stomach, and has ruled out illegal drugs like cocaine. He did say Stern and other close friends had been cooperative and helped furnish medical histories and focus his investigation.
Monday night on FOX News Channel’s Greta Van Sustern, Shelley broke down describing how he felt Howard K. Stern had ignored her drug problem and exploited it by making videotapes to sell of Anna Nicole painting her face like a clown and acting goofy, and Tuesday night re-aired the same shocking tape of Anna appearing drunk or high, while pregnant as she painted and played with Shelley’s young daughter.
It’s likely the tape was among the mini dv tapes taken from the Bahamas house. On it, Stern can be heard asking Anna if she’s on a mushroom trip “magic” as he films her and mentions the tape could be worth money.
Horry County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Butler tells me Stern called last week to say the items were stolen and should be returned to him. “He told me Bahamian police would call me to explain, but they never did,” said Paul Butler. “He asked how would someone get that property and I said the individual will have to have a court order or a request from an authorizing agency…He called back later and his attorney said they did not want that property released because they were personal items that had nothing to do with the incident in Florida.”
He sounded disappointed, said Butler, who explained the items could be returned if it was determined they were not relevant to the death investigation. According to Lisa Bourcier, the county director of public information, Seminole Police officers retrieved a black plastic bag with the laptops, and tapes, and a shopping bag with papers and more videotapes. in Conway, S.C.
The request to turn them over came in a letter from the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. We obtained a copy. It’s dated Feb. 15, 2007, and signed by Brian Cavanaugh, Broward County’s assistant state attorney in the homicide trial unit.
He writes the Seminole Police have “the primary responsibility to investigate suspicious circumstances surrounding her death,” and asks the sheriff to turn over “this property … for the purpose of examining it to determine whether any of its contents are of evidentiary relevance for their investigation.”
Cavanaugh also promises it will be returned “if determined to be of no evidentiary value for any criminal case that might ensue.”
It’s referrred to as Case # 2007—01309.
Shelley told police Anna had instructed him to go into the house and take her items so they wouldn’t get damaged or fall into the wrong hands if anything happened to her. Shelley claims he received permission from a Bahamian court to take the items, according to the Horry County deputies.
Neither Seminole Police, or the state attorney’s office had any comment.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:35 am
I had wondered since the first announcement of Stern’s need of a second lawyer for whom he appointed , told Judge an excuse… But I’d wonder if his deameanor as a witness belied he might have reppercussions of his testimony, not advantageous at this time for his “pocket gain” and thereby tagged along a “trusting sidekick Rail?,,, in case hes’ incarcerated a time but will hold onto any monies appointed into his very new firm (being Anna Nicole Smith) became his only client??????????) And a very serious and,,,, I had wondered his nesscity of flying back to the Bahamas the night before for a matter of a few hours ,”I want to be with my baby” interpeted my thoughts of if anything or everything didn’t go his way he probably left word of Bahama staff to hide, hurt, harm Anna’s baby, being he’d be sent up for awhile… I’d want that Millstone? Dannylynn’s gaurdian bring baby, back to states. Have a different hearing for reason to allow even temporary custody to Gramma , to safely hold baby for investigation which SHOULD BE, OF HOWARD K STEARN’S involvement of administering possibilities of demise of, ANNA NICOLE SMITH thankyou for reading, if indeed you have. C. Caron
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:33 pm
All is can say is Vergie Arthur GO HOME!!!!! Let her rest in peace now. Anna-Nicole obviously didn’t want anything to do with you before why would she want you to have her body? You portray a united front for the news cameras but then appeal the decision. What about showing your true colors!!!
If Howard Stern is guilty of something then get him away from the baby, if not, then leave the child and her Father alone.
If you passed away and were a multi-millionaire should people from your past be able to request that a paternity test be taken on your child or children because you died? I know that paternity was questioned to begin with but Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband, give me a break!!!
And that Judge, what a fiasco. He was just plain silly!!!!
February 24th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Mr. Harris in it’s hearing, the judge (and I liked his ways) but to a fault,of a few documentations used a not going there, which would have set the honest sincerity of utmost importance to the scene. Itrallyed from the intent of Anna’sBody location and turned into a “part criminal questionaries of persons and documents, importance. So I am asking is this whole three or four days LEGAL, for the decision made????? A Howard K Stern asking for the body way earlier, A doctor (who must be on the take ) Perper? says now, radiation could have been the cause of Anna’s death . all these speculations to confuse the issue of a mom(Virgie Arthur) wanting her daughter back in the States being she is a citizen, Searching documents of dates of Bahamas..Absolute disregard of insisting a criminal investigation before some harm comes to the precious baby Dannylynn? Judge played a defineitly showboating, in the comfy atmosphere,when he’d turn away from Birkhead’s attys. An international law should be made for the United States tourists to maintain the laws of America do apply for them, wether there is money involved or not. Set aside the estrangement of Anna and he rmother and bring her daughter back or, allow some lawyer to intercede on Virgie’s behalf of an ABDUCTION OF BODY irregardless of age of deceased citizens so the heartstings are not sold off with money. the videos on the O’Reilly factor showing Kapoor, Stern,Birkhead, with Anna displays a suck up scene for gain one way or another. There are some six areas of people to be investigated including that country’s doctor to scrutinize with the question of ” Have you been promised a money from Howard Stern, should he gain the executer control along with the baby of another man? For all the dialogue of judges intention of “a body being laid to rest ” in a dignafied manner , reeks of disguise of intent with disrespect of a death of Anna Nicole Smith. As in Natalie Hollaway, we show a disregard of interest in finding of United Staes citizens, or at least olosure of same?
February 25th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I have a question maybe you can look into it. I heard on Greta “Big Mo” say that they used ice to lower ANS’s fever. Why on earth would he (a paramedic) and his wife (an RN) do that? It was proven in the 1970’s that using ice to lower fever is ineffective and possibly dangerous. Anyone who has a child knows this as Dr’s have been telling us to use “tepid” water for some 30 years now to lower a fever (not to mention to take anyone with 103 or greater to the ER*) Here is a scenario I think could have happened:
ANS dies early AM hours on the 8th (not after 1:00PM as they claim) She is found dead when they wake up. The yacht deal is not done. A decision is made to ‘put her on ice’ until the yacht papers are signed. Then-when the papers are signed-the sh*t hits the fan with everyone scurrying to “suddenly” find her unconscious and so on. I find it curious that Big Mo would mention ice being used, it’s as if he already has his excuse ready for when someone mentions a lot of ice was found or they were seen carrying ice or perhaps Dr. Perper finds something odd in her autopsy that would show some tampering with the body in order to manipulate the time of death. Maybe I watch too much CSI.
* Of course they could not take her to the ER - they/she would have to admit to drug use. Which brings me to another question which may be good for the Birkhead/Opri camp. I hope that Mr. Milstein is asking these questions as well. What proof is there ANS had any pre-natal care either in the US or the Bahamas? I think that is important to look into for the sake and custody of the child to prove what kind of medical attention including “well baby” care she has received in the Bahamas, does she have a Pediatrician? Are her “baby vaccinations” up to date?
Thank you for all that you do to inform us, the general public.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
1) RE: Virgie- I think she is a typical Mother. Being in law enforcement, I’m sure her issues with her famous child were a source of anger, pain and embarassment. I can imagine she gave ANS an ultimatim: me or the drugs, not knowing that ANS was well beyond tough love tactics. The video was the drugs talking, not ANS. I believe that. Virgie could have sold pics/stories etc on ANS for years yet she did not come forward or attempt to be in the public eye until Daniel had died and the new baby was born. What Grandmother could sit still when she knew what was going on?
2) RE: Ford Shelley- I think he did the right thing in this matter. If he is responsible, the “Clown” video needed to be seen and “heard”. If anyone was on the fence with regard to HKS, and the saw the video, they surely have made up their mind by now as to what truly motivates this man. It was surely not probate law, which brings to mind the condition of her Will which is a joke. A good attorney will keep your Will up to date with every major life change that occurs, births, deaths, moves, they are updated regularly. Either there is another Will we do not know about or this one was poorly administered. His law license should be looked into as well as Dr. Kapoor’s medical license.
3) RE: Judge Seidler- I think he was great. All along during the hearing, I kept telling my friends he is ‘crazy like a fox’. People need to let up on him he is very wise and I think he is a great judge of character and he read everyone in the court-witnesses and Attorneys alike very well. I wish he had given Opri more time. There was a method to his madness. Hopefully, we will learn the whole story on this one day.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Enlighten yourself on the past antics in the Marshall v Marshall case(s). This may be a glimmer into the future antics we can expect: http://www.factweb.net
March 30th, 2007 at 2:45 am
A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. The term is used to distinguish it from over-the-counter drugs which can be obtained without a prescription. For more on prescription drugs please visit http://prescriptiondrugs.noprescriptiondrugstore.us/
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:03 am
VIRGIE is anything but typical.
The government and the media,
what is the truth?
Are we being sidetracked?
April 15th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
As of April 07, I now see on the news, where Birkhead is being offered Howard’s house and all kinds of hospitalitys. Is this man real or what? Next or probably already hes offering those drugs to keep him near him. Dannylyn, Anna Nicole’s baby is big money to Howard in a “joint” effort of custody. Howard is a lawyer ,Larry. Wakeup and smell the roses!!! Once addicted Larry will not have any say so of Dannylyn’s care. Please make sense Mr. Birkhead. Smith and your baby is a human being, not a financial pawn ! Howard would no more give you a thought if it had gone the other way. Stipulate in a document of Virgie’s custody of baby if anything happens to you. Then watch the fur fly. You spoke truthfully on the stand Larry, Do not get hoodwinked into Howard’s clutches, Cause that is all you are. Be a good daddy to your now motherless baby Mr. Birkhead. thankyou.