Anna Nicole Smith has died aged 39
The actress Anna Nicole Smith has died in Florida at the age of 39.
The former Playboy Playmate and billionaire's widow collapsed in a hotel room and died later, according to her lawyer.
"I can confirm that she is deceased. It's as shocking to me as to you guys," Ms Smith's lawyer, Ronald Rale, told reporters.
"I don't know anything further. (Her lawyer and husband) Howard (K. Stern) obviously is speechless and grieving."
She was found in her hotel room and given CPR by fire and rescue workers, said Michael Bloom, president of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Ms Smith's nurse called hotel workers at the hotel at 1.38pm local time and security went to the hotel room, hotel officials added.
Emergency staff arrived minutes later and she was taken to the Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood at 2:10pm.
Ms Smith had fascinated the tabloid media even before she became Playboy's playmate of the year in 1993.
Readers were fascinated by her good looks, her marriage to an elderly billionaire and subsequent court fight over his estate and, last year, the sudden death of her 20-year-old son, Daniel Smith.
Daniel was the son of Anna Nicole and Bill Smith, who married in 1985 and divorced two years later.
Police: No Illegal Drugs Found in Anna's Room
Only prescription -- and not illegal drugs -- were found during an investigation of Anna Nicole Smith's room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, this according to Seminole Police Chief Charlie Tiger.
At a press conference outside the Broward County Medical Examiner's office, Tiger revealed that "No evidence has been revealed to suggest that a crime has occurred," and that sworn statements were taken from everyone involved.
While authorities were unable to identify an official cause of death, Broward County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua Perper suggested that the death might be due to either natural causes, medication, or a combination of natural causes and medication.
Perper was able to rule out several speculated causes of death, such as blunt force trauma, gunshot wounds or asphyxia, meaning she did not suffocate to death on her own vomit.
Perper revealed that a small amount of blood was found in Anna's stomach, which he says is a result of the terminal shock Smith experienced before she died. He also said that no pills or tablets were found in her stomach.
Perper also acknowledged the need for Anna's DNA (due to the ongoing paternity dispute) and said a "large sample" was taken.
According to Perper, an official cause of death would be determined in 3 to 5 weeks.
Robbie enters rehab on birthday
Pop singer Robbie Williams has been admitted into a rehab clinic in the US on his 33rd birthday, to be treated for a dependency on prescription drugs.
It is not the first time the British star has entered rehab, having become addicted to drugs and alcohol after he left Take That in 1995.
He said later that his condition was so bad that Sir Elton John "kidnapped" him and made him seek treatment.
In September, his Asian tour was called off because of stress and exhaustion.
The Los Angeles-based performer was to have visited Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai (Bombay) and Bangalore in November.
A spokesman said at the time that to have performed in those cities after honouring European and South American commitments would have been "asking too much".
'Personal issues'
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke - based in Williams' home town - his mother, Jan, said it was a "gift" for her that he was seeking treatment.
"He's a very public figure and all the media attention at the moment is added pressure on him," she said.
"I shall be going across at some stage but when you're in rehab, it's a programme for the person themselves, and they have to address their own personal issues," she added.
Last year, the singer spoke frankly of his experience with depression in a BBC documentary on bipolar disorder with Stephen Fry.
In the interview, he admitted taking antidepressants and that his depression had made him "stop going out".
"I'd get up in front of 40,000 people and say 'look at me, I'm ace'", he said.
"Then as soon as I got off stage, I'd get in the tour coach and go back to my bedroom and pull the duvet over my eyes."
In another TV interview, broadcast in 2004, Williams said he only gave up drugs and alcohol because they made him too fat.
He said his addiction made him "blow up to the size of a small aircraft hangar".
Williams' former Take That bandmates are currently enjoying a hugely successful comeback, including a number one single and album, and a sell-out UK tour.
Their song Patience is expected to win best single at the Brit Awards ceremony, which takes place in London on Wednesday.
But this is the first time in several years that Williams has failed to be in the running for the best male or best album categories.
