Friday, 15 September 2006

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Lawyer: Anna Nicole is 'overwhelmed'

Smith had to be sedated after death of her son

Anna Nicole Smith is "okay," her Bahamian attorney, Michael Scott, tells PEOPLE. "She's overwhelmed. She's trying to come to grips with the depths of her despair."

In a statement released late Wednesday, Scott said Smith had to be sedated after the death Sunday of her 20-year-old son. "Anna Nicole was so distraught at the loss of Daniel that she refused to leave his side, and it was necessary to sedate her in order to check her out of the hospital," Scott said.

Police said Wednesday that a third person was in the hospital room when Daniel died, although they did not believe that person acted criminally. Scott identified the third person as Smith's lawyer and confidant, Howard K. Stern.

Scott also noted that Stern had picked Daniel up at the airport and drove with him straight to the hospital. "Anna Nicole, Daniel and Howard spent the entire evening together in Anna Nicole's hospital room (except) when Howard left to get food," Scott said.

According to the Associated Press, Scott told reporters that Smith is in seclusion in the Bahamas with her friends and family, "as you would expect (of) any parent who has sustained this kind of loss," and called media reports that Daniel had antidepressants or other drugs in his system "sheer speculation. It's irresponsible speculation, may I point out."

Reginald Ferguson, assistant commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, told the AP that no drug paraphernalia or traces of illegal drugs were found on Daniel, in the hospital room or near the room, and that police believe he'd gone directly to Doctors Hospital after arriving in the Bahamas.

On Wednesday, an official in the Bahamas labeled Daniel's death "suspicious" and said a formal inquiry was set to begin Oct. 23.

Her Majesty's Coroner Linda P. Virgill, who on Tuesday told PEOPLE Daniel's death was "not natural" tells PEOPLE she interviewed Anna Nicole at her home on Monday.

Michael Scott's complete statement, which has more details on the events surrounding Daniel Smith's death, is on the next page.