Anna Nicole Smith Overdosed

The autopsy report for Anna Nicole Smith was released earlier today, March 26, 2007.

According to Officials: Smith’s death caused by overdose, CNN.com, March 26, 2007:

Seminole tribal police Chief Charlie Tiger said, * * * “We are convinced, based on extensive review of the evidence, that this case is an accidental overdose with no other criminal element present.” * * *

Joshua Perper, Broward County medical examiner, said nine prescription drugs were found in Smith’s system, including three antidepressants or antianxiety drugs.

Also found in toxicology testing was human growth hormone and chloral hydrate, a sleep medication, Perper said. * * *

During the course of the autopsy, doctors found evidence that Smith had an abscess in her left buttock that had been perforated by a needle, probably when she took injections of either the growth hormone or vitamin B-12, the medical examiner explained.

The perforation allowed bacteria to get into Smith’s blood, which caused a high fever in the days before her death. She was being treated with Tamiflu and Cipro, one an antiviral medication and the other an antibiotic, Perper said.

He said the abscess and a case of flu were contributory causes in Smith’s death.