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Mar. 26, 2007 It's obvious by now that I am covering the Anna Nicole Smith case so it should come as no surprise that I am reporting on the just released autopsy report. According to Joshua Perper, the Chief Medical Examiner of Broward County, Fl., Anna died of an accidental drug overdose. This occurred due to a synergy (interaction and combination) of nine different drugs that were found in her body. Ms. Smith had also suffered from a septic infection resulting from a pierced abscess under the skin of her buttocks. The septic condition which resulted in a very high temperature (105 degrees) was brought under control by the administration of Cipro and an ice bath. Once those methods were prescribed by her Psychiatrist (also an M.D.) who was traveling with her on her fateful trip, her temperature did not rise above 100 degrees and the sepsis had turned into a condition known as bacteremia. That is a lesser infection process, and although it may have contributed to her weakened condition, did not kill her by itself. The ingestion of a slightly larger dose than was normal for Ms. Smith of Chloral Hydrate (a sedative, not used much these days), combined with anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, growth hormone drugs and a couple of other non-lethal drugs caused her respirations to cease and eventually, her heart to stop pumping. She died in her sleep and most likely did not suffer. After Dr. Perper's press conference and after the Police Chief of the Seminole Police Department stated clearly that there was no foul play and no criminal intent, Howard K. Stern's lawyers conducted their own press conference and chastised the various media outlets and individuals who have insinuated and in some cases outright called their client a murderer. After the conferences were complete the media began to defend it's actions. Nancy Grace was quick to decry those who called Mr. Stern a murderer even though it was she who allowed Virgie Arthur (Anna's mother) to come on her show and declare that Howard killed her grandson. After Anna's death, Ms. Arthur called Howard the murderer of her daughter as well. I also heard Debra Opri (Larry Birkhead's lawyer), Jackie Hatton (a supposed good friend of Anna's and sister of the man who stalked Anna), Kimberly Guilfoyle, Geraldo Rivera and several others refer to Howard K. Stern as a murderer and I'm sure that they will all be rushing to change their terminology to avoid possible lawsuits. I will not be surprised if they simply deny that they ever said any such thing. I would like to see Nancy Grace rethink her use of sources like The Star and In Touch magazine when discussing Anna's death and the death of her son Daniel. There are supposedly witnesses that either heard Anna accuse Howard of giving her late son Methadone and even of flushing pills down the toilet. Amazing since none of these people are alluding to the fact that Daniel Smith himself had a drug problem and there are sources that have come forward to testify that they knew that he abused drugs. I also suspect that if anyone gave Daniel a Methadone tablet while he visited his mother's hospital room that it was Anna herself and that Howard is protecting her rather then himself. Tomorrow the inquest into the death of Daniel Smith begins in the Bahamas' and that is only the beginning of the legal machinations that will follow. This case may never go away as we also have the 9th Circuit Court in California yet to decide whether or not Anna's estate will receive a portion of J. Howard Marshall's estate. That case has dragged on for over a decade. I have questioned why people are interested in this case but then I realized that sans the celebrity factor, the fatal ingestion and synergistic reaction of drugs is the second leading cause of ALL accidental deaths in the United States. It could happen to someone we know and although there would be no media coverage and we wouldn't be seeing the high drama and over-the-top reactions to a loved one dying....we would have something in common with Anna Nicole Smith. It brings up the question of exactly what is an enabler and how does a person deal with a drug or alcohol addicted friend or relative? Do we leave them to their habit and walk away or do we stay (as Howard K. Stern did) and watch them the best way that we know how? I believe that a substance abuser will find a way to get the drugs or drink that they need no matter how many interventions are held and no matter who leaves them. I also believe that in the end, it is up to the abuser to decide to stop using and no one can make them stop. It's time to stop calling Howard K. Stern and others like him murderers and come to the above realization.. It is my opinion that it is the abuser's call as to whether or not they live or die. Anna Nicole Smith died because she abused drugs...period. ------------ About the author: Meri has a Medical/Legal background and is a former forensic researcher specializing in psychological profiling. https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=27335 Email: writers2@cox.net Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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