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Your thoughts on the death of a centerfold

Posted: Saturday, February 24, 2007 8:01 PM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under:

Even though the life of Anna Nicole Smith was defined by tragedy and high drama, the news of her death still came as a shock.

Controversy and scandal, success and failure trailed Anna Nicole from the moment she came into public view — make that full view — as a Playboy centerfold 15 years ago.  Her sudden and still mysterious death today is a final ironic chapter for a woman who modeled herself after her idol, Marilyn Monroe.

And this week, it may have been one of the strangest court battles you've ever seen: Since the death of Anna Nicole Smith more than two weeks ago a battalion of lawyers has been fighting over her final resting place.

Meanwhile, another fight is raging over the question of who fathered Smith's baby girl, an infant who could inherit millions.

But it was the complex and often colorful court battle over Smith's remains that riveted the nation over the past few days. Click here to read the Dateline report on the legal drama. Click here to read the interesting quotes from Judge Seidlen.

Use the comments section, below, to share your thoughts on the death of a centerfold.

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Comments

I'm sorry--but this entire drama and death of Anna Nicloe's son, Daniel, and now Anna Nicole's death with Howard K. Stern still claiming paternity to her baby, reeks of obvious foul play to me. I will personally not be happy until this Howard K. Stern is fully investigated in all this. Surely the law enforcement officials in this case have the good sense to connect the dots here and to check out every semblance of possible foul play including who the prominent foul player is, if anyone, and not just jump to the predominating conclusion that Anna was on heavy illegal drugs or overdosed on prescription drugs just as has been claimed about her son, Daniel. All so convenient, wouldn't you say??

Dzee (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 5:42 PM)

Let Anna Nicole rest in peace. Psalms 23

Jane Q Citizen (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 6:27 PM)

Let Anna Nicole rest in peace. Psalms 23

Jane Q Citizen (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 6:36 PM)

I agree with you Angela. I, too, wondered: If a nurse found her, why did she not call 911 immediately and then do CPR herself? Surely all the delay (i.e., calling the bodyguard, waiting to do CPR, finally getting the paramedics) might have caused her to die needlessly. I am surprised no news service has taken up these questions; they seem so obvious to me. Seems like a remake of Marilyn Monroe's death, the exception is :Marilyn had no children and was love by her family. Also,how does a mother go on tv and talk wrongly about her daughter, I don't think she loved her inconditionnally. Rest in peace Anna Nicole.

Louise St-Marie, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 6:49 PM)

Anna Nicole was a beautiful woman....in the last few interviews she was so sad...I really believe she died from a broken heart from the loss of her son. I hope they are together again....and I hope her daughter will be raised by loving people.

Barbara Moore (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:20 PM)

Anna simply died from a broken heart.....

D.l. Wright. (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:21 PM)

I cannot understand why Anna Nicole Smith is or ever has been NEWSWORTHY! Other than what should have been a passing news story..(Young woman marries elderly billionaire,etc.) She has done nothing to be newsworthy. She has not contributed as an artist, a philanthropist, a scientist, a writer, an actress, a talk show host, an athlete...NOTHING! While the events of her life have been tragic, I felt empathy for her as I would any fellow human being, but why has she crammed down our throats for so long by the media? I always wondered why the media were scraping the bottom of the barrel to report stories of her as if she were interesting. Please stop making comparisons between Anna and Marilyn Monroe. Please stop acting like she was some kind of living legend. I beg of the media..PLEASE RAISE the BAR! Tell us about the "fishing kids" in Ghana who are being sold into slavery by their parents and how we can rescue them. Tell us how we can help the kids in Camden, New Jersey, who need help just to get to school. Tell us about the US soldiers who are making sacrifices. Show us real artists, real singers, tell us about interesting books...Interview interesting writers and children who have phenomenal talents. Please! We're hungry for it. We're sick of Anna, Paris, Britney, Justin, Beyonce. The media always uses the excuse that..this is what the public wants. The public can be lazy and will respond to whatever we're given, but we're worthy of better. Please, Please. Give us Better!

Beverly Allen, Cary, NC (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:34 PM)

Just let it rest! That's all we hear about. Let her rest in peace,case closed.Get a life!

moniquemayer ValCaron Ont. (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:40 PM)

It's sad to think that Anna's daughter will never know hom much she loved her (dannylyn) and her brother daniel. What's also sad is that here is Anna's mother who you would THINK would be mourning the loss of her daughter (no matter what their relationship was like in the past) has nothing but negative and cruel things to say about her dead daughter. Instead she should be saying that she should have done more for her daughter and that how tragic her death was. But all we hear from her is that how she new this would happen and how she told Anna to becareful and blah blah blah. All Anna's mother has done is make herself look like an incentative person (mother) in spotlight. Anna's death is tragic on so many levels, but maybe now Anna is not in anymore pain. She is with God and so we need to now think about what is best for this little baby. My prayeers go out to Anna,Dannylyn and her son Daniel.I believe that God has a special place in his heart for little children and he will take care of her. God bless all three of you.

Sandra G. San Antonio Texas (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:54 PM)

My prayer is that Anna Nicole is at peace, safe in the arms of Daniel and our God. I'm so heartbroken over her death and the fate of Danilynn.

Robyn Lafayette, LA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:01 PM)

How dare you (NBC) ask where that poor baby is? It is none of anyone's business. She has just lost her mother.

Mandy (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:02 PM)

In my opinion as a mother I think she died of a broken heart. Although she had her baby, I don't think she ever recovered from her beloved son Daniel.

Maria R. WNY, NJ (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:03 PM)

REST IN PEACE ANNA, THEY CAN'T GET TO YOU NOW.

Linda (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:04 PM)

In the end, she got what she gave. Nothing. Hopefully that baby will grow up a better person without Vicky Lynn around.

P. Atchison, Houston, TX (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:05 PM)

Her death was tragic. But so are the deaths of thousands of people every day. She was no more important than any of our soldiers in Iraq. Am getting tired of hearing about Anna Nicole; so, "click" to a different TV channel!

St.Louis, MO (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

There is something very wrong with this country that can be so focused on someone who was so bizarre, fixated on herself and lived such an immoral life. Enough is enough. Aren't there more important stories and events; aren't there biographies of people who can uplift us and set good examples for our children in how we should live? So goes the truth of the Bible's statement: "You reap what you sow".

Sue, Johnstown, PA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

I heard from way of Media, that Anna Nicole's baby was actually fathered by Daniel, her son, and that is why he overdosed and that is why she could not live with his death and all this mess. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?

D (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

I find it very upsetting how the media and the press is treating her after she has past away. Anna was a mother first. When her son dies, she expected to be happy after that. No, she lost her son. From everything you can see from her that she was a very loving mother that did everything she could for her child. I felt so bad for her that unthinkable event happened. She endured a lot in her short life. She was a beautiful woman that was not ashamed to be herself. This country too much into appearances. If you do not fit that perfect mold then you are not part of society, that means you are not good. She did not care about that. More power to her. Now these men are making me just sick that they are fighting over a baby for only money. It awful. Rest in peace, Anna.

Laurie, Nanuet, NY (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

Are they kidding. Anna Nicuole is gone and that is sad. The child, DannieLynn needs stability and safety. I don;\'t think any of these people involved have her best interests at hand. I don't think either of these men should have control over a child, when money clouds the issue soooo much. Court appoint a team of guardians and let this child be raised with the estate of her mother...

ERT, WPB FL (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

anna nicole snith has had affairs with so many people. any rich man can be the father. and you know that she should have never gotten that money from her husband. she knew that he would die soon, and married him for his money. anyone smart should know that by now.

Mike Hunt- Sacramento, CA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

Anna was like any other woman in this world. Wanting a life of fame and such. We all have fantasy's like that. Anna made it that far and like anyone, she had her demons. She had a wonderful son and good friends such as Howard. That is what I saw. She had her flaws, she was never perfect. But she was a beautiful woman and will always remain a beautiful woman. She will be missed and thought of. She lost her son and left daughter. But I feel no matter what her daughter will be fine. She no longer has 1, but now 2 guardian angels watching over her. Daniel and Anna. May you rest in peace Anna. You will be missed.

Eiko (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

I feel sorry for her family; but not her. She willingly chose the life she led, her children didn't have a say in what kind of parents they were going to have. It seems Anna only cared for attention, fame and money and all the things she could get from it. She used her beauty and body to get the aforementioned. The only mystery here is that she didn't die sooner. Those who drive too fast eventually crash. Maybe her daughter actually has a chance at a normal upbringing now. Her mother should've been at home with her new baby instead of out partying.

Quinn, KY (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

What a tragic story for an innocent child to now have to deal with for the rest of her life. The hardest to believe, and being a mother myself, I can certainly understand, is I don't believe that Anna ever got over the death of her son, Daniel. And no matter what, baby Dannielynn could never give Daniel back to her. Maybe now she's at peace, tragic as it may seem. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family AND Howard K. Stern, whether or not he is actually the father of Anna's daughter!

Eleanor Rose Godfrey, Augusta, GA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:07 PM)

So she is gone, who cares? Im actually glad, now we wont have to hear about her court battles for money, or who she is dating, or her loser son, or "trimspa baybe". Just one more annoying person that is finally out of our lives. I dont really care how she died or who the father of her baby is. There are thousands of other parentless children out there but no one cares about them huh? Get a clue and stop worrying about this washed up hooker!

J, chas, sc (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:07 PM)

Young Daniel dies in his Mother's hospital room.. Howard K. Stern is present. Young Nicole dies in a hotel room.. Howard K. Stern is present. Both young and healthy people die in the presence of this man????? These words are for Nicole: "When sorrow overwhelms me and laughter hides my fears, I slip in to my empty place and cry my silent tears". RIP

Helen, New Albany, IN (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:07 PM)

What A Woman Who Striked Us With So Much Appeal Not Only With Her Beauty But With All She Went Through To Get Her Mill$ Such A Lost - First Her Son Now She Has Left And She Left On This Earth Only One My Prayers are with Her Family and Friends May She Rest In Peace

Karen Anne, Fairfax, VA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:07 PM)

A 39 year old life should NOT have been lost. DID SHE not have a NURSE there with her?!? Was the "nurse" NOT certified in CPR, and IF she was, WHY didn't she start CPR right away? Was she SOOOO STUPID that she'd put a lady with 105 temp in an "ice bath" and then back to bed and NOT call EMS?!??! Nope, to THIS RN at least, it doesn't add up.... Linda/FCLS, CMAS, BS, RN San Antonio

Linda Hutchinson, CMAS, BS, RN (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:08 PM)

what a tragedy anna nicoles smith's passing was. but what is even more unfortunate is that it did not happen sooner. it is beyond my comprehension why any living bein would feel any sort of remorse for the passing of this good for nothing gold digging harlot.

Mohammed, New York (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:08 PM)

What a tragic story for an innocent child to now have to deal with for the rest of her life. The hardest to believe, and being a mother myself, I can certainly understand, is I don't believe that Anna ever got over the death of her son, Daniel. And no matter what, baby Dannielynn could never give Daniel back to her. Maybe now she's at peace, tragic as it may seem. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family AND Howard K. Stern, whether or not he is actually the father of Anna's daughter!

Eleanor Rose Godfrey, Augusta, GA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:08 PM)

I am so glad to see that people felt so empathetic for Anna Nicole. I think she tried so hard to keep it together. No one knows what hardships left her so troubled in her life. It is a very tragic story- but it took guts to get out in front of the public and the paparazzi, and just be herself- thin or overweight, sober or not. She showed up for the party as best she could. It must be a heartache to leave her little girl behind and I think it was an accident. The people who loved Anna have a duty to do right by that little girl, and I think they will. God bless them both.

LM (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:08 PM)

When I heard about the death of Anna Nicole Smith, I was shocked and felt like I lost a friend. Even though we never met, I watched her show on the Cable Channel and got to know her, Daniel, Howard and her Assistant's. Like everyone else, my heart went out to her when she lost her son last year. And when she died I thought that her son welcomed her to heaven and now they are together. Thank goodness for her husband, Howard K. Stern and that Anne's daughter will be in good hands. Anna, may you rest in peace. You will be missed by many people.

Kathy R., Massapequa, New York (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:08 PM)

People in todays society are so blinded. You say she is resting in peace with her son now, I say she is in more pain and torment then she was ever in here on earth. Immorality has taken over this country, and slowly but surely we are beginning to pay for it. With the way things are in this world, it wouldnt suprise me if Anna's son is the father, so he killed himself to save the embarassment, and now she has done the same.

Nathan, West Virginia (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

isn't it a little too coincidental that anna nicole's untimely death just happened to occur around the same time as the nasa incident? i think so. isn't it probable that nasa used anna as their sacrificial lamb? all of the sudden we're not all huddled around the water cooler chatting about the astronut? very convenient. i'm pretty certain that nasa shot her with some laser from outerspace. don't you think?

stephen wk (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

I think that the death of Anna Nicole is very tragic and sad. I think that no one person is at fault I think a lot of people are at fault because no one stepped in to get her the help that she needed! It was very apparent in the last few months that she was in major need of professional help! I think that this whole thing could be avoided if someone stepped in to help! I hope that she is finally at peace with her son and my prays are with her Family!

Roy Jax, Florida (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

I smell foul play and Howard is the source. He has been planning this financial takeover for years and will soon be sucessful. Why doesn't anyone see the clues?

Robert, Lima, Ohio (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

I want to agree with those who say Howard Stern needs to be thoroughly investigated concerning this. If it is found that there was a drug cocktail in her system... who is to say that she took it willingly or knowingly. It could have been given to her with a purpose and perhaps her son went that way too. My husband thinks that it is possible that the son is the father of the baby and Howard Stern found out and got rid of him. I did hear that Anna accused Howard of killing her son when she first found out. Now why would she think that?

Carol, Boston (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

I think this is horrible what happened because she just had a new baby. This is a very sad thing but at least she is with her son again. I am kind of curious about howard K. Stern because of Daniels Death and then Anna Nicole Smith's Death i just have thougts that maybe he had something to do with their deaths.

At,belle chasse, louisiana (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:10 PM)

What does it say about our culture when so much air time is devoted to coverage of Anna Nicole Smith's death? I feel sorry for the people who loved her, but in the overall scheme of things, considering all that is going on in this country, I do not understand the fascination with the death of someone who so very obviously had no respect for herself, and who contributed absolutely nothing towards the betterment of anything but her own selfish ends.

Peggy Strickland (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:10 PM)

MY CONCERN IS FOR HER CHILD. IF HOWARD K. STERN IS THE BABY'S FATHER THEN WHY WON'T HE TAKE A D.N.A. TEST AND GET IT OVER WITH. THEN PEOPLE WILL LET HIM ALONE. GOD BLESS ANNA AND DANIEL NOW THEY ARE TOGETHER.

debbie (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:10 PM)

Like many people watching the Anna Nicole news coverage, my first thoughts are with the grieving family. I pray that the pain and overwhelming sadness during this dark hour will soon past over. However, it amazes me how the media constantly suggest that the baby is without a father and mother. We must all remember that Anna Nicole was married. And lets suppose that her husband is not the biological father, still he has become a father figure in the child's life. Most of all, we should remember that at the least he is still the child's step father.

Alejandro Houston, Dallas, Texas (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:10 PM)

I haven't heard anything about Post-Partum Depression. If she was suffering from that along with the death of her son, I wouldn't rule out suicide.

M. Delgado, Florida (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:11 PM)

Plain and simple, Howard Stern was Anna's drug dealer. He supplied her drugs then propped her lifeless,doped up body in front of every camera imaginable (for a fee, of course). We've all seen those interviews...she could hardly hold her head up. Who would do that to someone they loved? I also believe that he supplied her son with that fatal dose. I can hear him now, "Take this Daniel, it will make you feel better". Let's face it, the more doped up everyone was, the more opportunity he had to pilfer Anna's cash.

Lisa Houston,TX (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:11 PM)

Deepest Sympathy to those who loved Anna Nicole .. It saddens me to have seen her life story on TV she seemed to be so heartbroken and lost. Losing her son and now her daughter has lost her mommy it breaks my heart.. I pray little Danny Lynn will grow up in a loving family and have a full happy life as all children deserve. Perhaps if Anna didnt want the fame and the material things in life so bad she might have been happy and still alive today. God Bless you Anna and may you rest in peace with your son..

Diane, Baltimore , MD (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:11 PM)

I know that ultimately she allowed and even invited much media scrutiny of her life. I am experienced only on a local level of living in that type of "fish bowl" and can't even imagine what she went through on a world-wide level. I truly believe that she was a decent person and just wanted love and acceptance like everyone in the world. Maybe she didn't always make the best decisions for her and her family's life, but most of the time we are all just doing the best that we can. I regarded her with high esteem and am sorry that she won't be here to see and contribute to her beautiful daughter's life. Peace be unto you, Anna Nicole.

Corinne Jenkins, Statesboro, Georgia (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:11 PM)

Howard Stern is a very good lawyer. He sure knows what he wants and what he is doing. This is a very interesting real life story about GREED. The urgency to get married, the sudden death of a son, who is a possible heir, and holding on to a child, who is also an heir, witholding the DNA testing so the truth would finally come to light. Good job! May GOD bless the innocent baby. THERE is GOD who sees everything.

anonymous (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:12 PM)

There is something fishy in here....she have a newborn baby from "someone"(the heir)for all intended pourpose". Next..her son a teenager died of the so call "overdose". A coincidence??? Them she marry a man that supposelly is the "father". This guy is the lawyer and he have been with her at all times?? Lawyer know best??? And now she died in some "strange" situation where drugs are a main reason of death??? MMMM Who is the one that win in this situation???? I'm a retired police officer and my mind still ticking...

Raul Alvarado, Austin, Texas (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:12 PM)

Even though I did not really care for Anna Nicole I am still sadden of her untimely death. Iam very concerned about the baby at this time and just hope she will be placed with her "dad"

Debbie McGowan Panama City Florida (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:12 PM)

i believeshe died of a brokenheart. may she rest in heaven in gods arms.

colleen reynoldsville,pa (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:13 PM)

Howard K. Stern really needs to be investigated people. He is and has been up to something for quite sometime.

Carter, Atlanta, Georgia (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:14 PM)

I feel bad for her and I think she is finally at peace. Sadly, her daughter is without a mother but anna nicole is with her son. Hopefully, the baby stays with the person who has, for the past five months, been in her life. In my opinion, I don't believe that anna nicoles mother should even try to get custody of the baby. If she does I defiantly know its for all the money that baby is going to have. If according to "everyone" she didn't raise anna nicole right? what makes anyone in there right mind that she'll do that for dannielynn? Everything that lady does is for show, if you ask me.

Daisy M, McAllen,Tx. (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:15 PM)



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