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FBI Investigated Anna Nicole in Murder Plot

Smith questioned over murder-for-hire plot during J. Howard Marshall estate fight

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2009 10:12 AM CDT
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(Newser) – When Anna Nicole Smith’s rich-but-ancient husband died, she publicly fought his son for his estimated $550 million fortune—and the AP just obtained records showing the FBI investigated Smith for possibly trying to have that son killed. During the 2000-2001 investigation, a gun, a knife, and—inexplicably—a black and orange “Dr. Seuss” hat were confiscated from Smith’s home, but the Playboy Playmate was never charged.

The AP obtained 100 pages—just a fraction—of Smith’s full FBI file, and of those, many sections are whited out; they give no indication of how authorities found out about the alleged murder-for-hire scheme against E. Pierce Marshall, son of J. Howard Marshall II. According to one interview, “Smith began crying and denied ever making such plans.” Prosecutors eventually decided there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Smith.

Anna Nicole Smith attends the Los Angeles Federal court to try and gain control of part of the estate of her late husband, billionaire J. Howard Marshall October 27, 1999 in Los Angeles, CA.
Anna Nicole Smith attends the Los Angeles Federal court to try and gain control of part of the estate of her late husband, billionaire J. Howard Marshall October 27, 1999 in Los Angeles, CA.   (Getty Images)
In this Feb. 28, 2006, file photo, Anna Nicole Smith leaves the US Supreme Court in Washington.
In this Feb. 28, 2006, file photo, Anna Nicole Smith leaves the US Supreme Court in Washington.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
Anna Nicole Smith poses for photographers after arriving for a movie premiere, in this Feb. 14, 2005, file photo, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
Anna Nicole Smith poses for photographers after arriving for a movie premiere, in this Feb. 14, 2005, file photo, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok/FILE)
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entertainment • Anna Nicole Smith • celebrity • estate • J. Howard Marshall • murder plot • E. Pierce Marshall

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