ANNA NICOLE SMITH - SMITH'S MOTHER BLAMES DRUGS FOR DAUGHTER'S DEATH

LATEST: ANNA NICOLE SMITH's estranged mother believes drugs were to blame for her daughter's tragic death yesterday afternoon (08FEB07) in Hollywood, Florida. The 39-year-old was found unconscious in her hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and she was later declared dead after being rushed to nearby Memorial Regional Hospital. A medical examiner began an autopsy on her body today (09FEB07) in a bid to discover the cause of her sudden demise but the former Playboy playmate's mother is convinced drugs played a significant part. VERGIE ARTHUR draws parallels with her grandson DANIEL's death last year (06) - which one medical practitioner linked to a combination of methadone and two anti-depressants. She says, "I think she had too many drugs, just like Danny. I tried to warn her about drugs and the people she hung around with. She didn't listen. She was too drugged up." Detectives are reviewing the hotel surveillance footage from the hours leading up to Smith's death and interviewing those connected to the tragic events. However, Deputy Police Chief MICHAEL BROWNE maintains, "Nothing about this death seems suspicious. We're not treating it that way."

09/02/2007 17:20