Daniel Smith's Death Officially Ruled Accidental

An inquest into the death of Anna Nicole Smith's son Daniel concluded on Monday. A jury in the Bahamas ruled that he died of an accidental overdose after a less than two hour deliberation. The jury unanimously concluded Daniel died from "non-dependent drug use" which means he wasn't addicted to what killed him and was not aware the drugs in his system would kill him. They did not recommend that any criminal charges be filed.

An autopsy had previously determined that Daniel died as a result of a lethal combination of methadone and the antidepressants Zoloft and Lexapro.

The inquest was ordered amid whispers and rumors over the circumstances surrounding Daniel's death, specifically that Howard K. Stern was somehow involved, and is similar to the one ordered in the death of Corrine Bailey Rae's husband. It began in November and more than 20 witnesses were called, including Howard and Larry Birkhead, who shockingly contradicted each other. Do these guys ever agree?

Larry testified that Daniel was a troubled young man who struggled with drugs and alcohol. But Howard said he was surprised at the autopsy report and said he had never seen Daniel using drugs.

Neil McCabe, a lawyer for Anna Nicole's mother, Virgie Arthur, said she was disappointed in the ruling because she suspected foul play was involved. Arthur has claimed previously that Howard played a role in both deaths, but she did not provide any evidence to substantiate these claims. "We don't think it makes any sense," he said. "The boy was not a drug user, the judge said so. Why would he all of a sudden take a massive dose of methadone?"

Howard, who has denied giving Daniel any drugs, said outside court that he was not sure whether the jury's decision would bring an end to the case. "I have no control over them," he said of Virgie and her lawyers. Magistrate William Campbell said the jury's decision ended the case as far the courts in the Bahamas were concerned.

Why do I think this will never really be over?

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