Anna Nicole Smith: Her Tragic Death and the Theories Surrounding It

Anna Nicole Smith, well-known former Playboy model, Trim Spa spokeswoman, and star of her own reality TV show, has died on Thursday, February 8, 2007 after collapsing at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Reportedly, a private nurse found Smith "unresponsive" in her sixth-floor room, and promptly called 911. Before she was announced dead, Smith's bodyguard was said to have given her CPR for almost an hour. Anna Nicole Smith's death is the latest misfortune in a string of tragedies experienced by the Smith family. Just this past September, Anna's son and "love of her life" Daniel died in what is believed to be a drug-related death, only days after she gave birth to daughter Dannielynn. Before her death, Smith was engaged in a very stressful dispute over the paternity of her daughter, as Larry Birkhead claims he is the father while Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole's longtime boyfriend, is listed as the father on Dannielynn's birth certificate. While Smith's life was surrounded by controversy and chaos due to her vivacious (and sometimes peculiar) personality and public battles, it comes as no surprise that Anna's death is receiving the same attention. After all, how does a seemingly healthy 39 year-old woman suddenly just pass away? Even though Anna Nicole Smith allegedly suffered flu-like symptoms and a fever for several days before her death, was this illness the cause of this terrible misfortune? While Smith's autopsy is scheduled for Friday February 9th, toxicology reports very likely will not be available for another couple of weeks. Until then, here are the most current theories about Anna Nicole's death.

Theory #1: Drugs

It's no secret that Anna Nicole struggled with substance abuse problems throughout her life. Her first stay in the Betty Ford Clinic was as early as 1995, and in November of 2006, Anna Nicole's own mother Virgie Arthur emerged on the Dr. Keith Ablow show begging her daughter to give up drugs and give life a fresh start. Despite Anna claiming she kicked her prescription drug addiction in 2004, Smith's former friend Laurie Payne declared, "Anna Nicole was taking methadone and Xanax in May, 2006, during her pregnancy." (TMZ.com, 2007). Smith supposedly also used alcohol, and many are wondering if Anna could possibly have overdosed or accidentally mixed a lethal combination of drugs.

Theory #2: Suicide

Anna Nicole battled depression almost as long as she battled drug abuse issues, and it has been said that her repeated states of melancholy date back to her childhood. While there were no immediate or outward signs of suicide, one theory is that Anna purposely swallowed as many drugs as she could (if in fact drugs are involved). While it is known that Anna's depression worsened after the death of her son Daniel this past September, it is a tough theory to stand by, since it's unbearable to think that Anna would leave her infant daughter Dannielynn.

Theory #3: Mystery Illness

Since Anna suffered flu-like symptoms and fever only days before her death, could some mysterious viral or bacterial infection be responsible?

Theory #4: A Heart Condition

While there are no EKG's or evidence to suggest that Anna Nicole Smith had any type of a heart condition, this is always a possibility since so many heart problems are "silent". A heart condition such as cardiomyopathy all the way to a simple arrhythmia can cause sudden death.

Theory #5: Blood Clot

Pulmonary embolism is a condition in which an artery in one's lungs becomes blocked, and it can lead to death. It is the leading cause of hospital deaths, and a risk for anyone who remains sedentary for a prolonged period of time. Woman who have given birth, are over the age of 35, or have a family history of deep vein thrombosis have an increased risk of blood clot.

Theory # 6: "Trim Spa, Baby!"

Anna Nicole Smith, the Trim Spa spokeswoman, claimed to be taking two pills per day for weight "maintenance". While Trim Spa is a very popular weight loss supplement with heavy television advertising, the safety of its ingredients, which, by the way, are not tested by the FDA, have been questioned. The two main ingredients of Trim Spa X32 are Hoodia Gordonii and Glucosamine. Glucosamine is primarily used to treat osteoarthritis and is relatively safe, while Hoodia Gordonii is quite new to the western world, and has been used mostly by South African tribesmen to suppress the appetite in periods of food shortage. Hoodia has been shown to suppress hunger, but the downside is that it also suppresses thirst, which could lead to dehydration. While I am not suggesting that Trim Spa contributed to Anna Nicole Smith's death, it is a rumor that is swirling around and deserves to be mentioned.

Theory #7: Last But Not Least: Murder

There is not yet any evidence to suggest that Anna Nicole Smith was murdered, but it is still incredibly early in the investigation to rule it out. A number people of immediately dismiss this theory by saying that Anna first "collapsed", demonstrating that there was something physically wrong with her. While this is in fact true, tittle-tattle voices whisper that, "Maybe Anna Nicole was poisoned." We'll just have to wait for toxicology reports to see.

Rest in peace, Vickie Lynn Hogan, a.k.a. Anna Nicole Smith.