Model's Death Remains A Mystery

An initial autopsy has failed to find the cause of Anna Nicole Smith's death, the doctor who carried it out has said.

No illegal drugs were found at the scene of her death, and her stomach did not contain pills, experts say.

But medical examiner Joseph Perper said he had not ruled out an overdose as a cause of death, and was waiting for the results of chemical analysis.

Ms Smith, a former Playboy model who fought a long battle for her late husband's estate, died on Thursday. She was 39 years old.

There is "no evidence to suggest a crime occurred," Police Chief Charlie Tiger told reporters in Florida. But he said the investigation would remain open until Dr Perper, the Broward County medical examiner, completed his investigation.

Dr Perper said that could take from three to five weeks. He said DNA samples had been taken from the late model.

"In every case in America, the examiner's office takes samples," he said.

Ms Smith died only five months after the birth of her daughter - the subject of competing paternity claims.

At least three men claim to be the father of the child, who is potentially heir to a multi-million-dollar fortune.

Ms Smith married Texas oil billionaire J Howard Marshall II in 1994, not long after being named Playboy's Playmate of the Year. She was 26 and he was 89. He died 14 months later, setting the stage for a battle over his estate that pitted Ms Smith against Marshall's son.

The case has not yet been resolved, even though Marshall's son died last year.

Ms Smith's own son Daniel died in September, leaving her daughter as her only surviving offspring.