Anna Nicole Smith's tragic cause of death explained ahead of Netflix documentary

15 May 2023 , 21:56

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Anna Nicole Smith is set to be at the centre of a new Netflix documentary this week, which promises to be "an unflinching and humanizing examination of the life, death and secrets" of the late mum-of-two.

The special entitled Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me will follow the journey of the famed Playboy magazine centrefold in the early 90s, who died of a combined drug intoxication at the age of 39 in February 2007.

Anna's personal events leading up to her passing were particularly tragic, as three days after her daughter Dannielynn was born in September 2006, her 20-year-old son, Daniel, suddenly passed away in her hospital room following an accidental overdose of methadone and antidepressants.

Following Daniel's passing, Anna quickly spiralled into a mental illness and drug abuse. At the time of her passing, she had also been battling a bacterial infection and the flu, with methadone and Valium found in her system along with a rarely prescribed sedative chloral hydrate.

The drug is known to be fatal if combined with certain medications, such as the sedative Lorazepam, which was also found in Anna's system.

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Anna Nicole Smith's tragic cause of death explained ahead of Netflix documentary

Anna Nicole Smith is set to be at the centre of a new Netflix documentary this week (Getty Images)

Anna spiralled into mental health issues, depression and drug abuse after her son's passing (WireImage)

The Seminole Police Department in Florida ruled her death "an accidental overdose with no other criminal element present."

The events surrounding the lead-up to Anna's passing are set to be explored in the new Netflix documentary, which will be released on May 16.

A synopsis for the documentary reads: "From director Ursula Macfarlane ( Untouchable ) and producer Alexandra Lacey comes an unflinching and humanizing examination of the life, death and secrets of Vickie Lynn Hogan - better known as model and actress Anna Nicole Smith.

Anna died of a combined drug intoxication at the age of 39 in February 2007 (WireImage)

"From her first appearance in Playboy in 1992, Anna Nicole's dizzying ascent was the very essence of the American dream, brought to a tragic halt with her untimely passing in 2007.

"With access to never-before-seen footage, home movies, and interviews with key figures who have not spoken out until now, ANNA NICOLE SMITH: YOU DON'T KNOW ME reveals new insights into the story of the quintessential blonde bombshell hardly anyone really knew."

A trailer for the documentary has already divided opinions, with many voicing their concerns about her not being "exploited".

Netflix's Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me has already divided opinion (Netflix)

The trailer for Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me offers a quick rundown of the late star's rise to fame and untimely death - from her childhood in Texas, her first marriage at 17, the birth of her son, Daniel, and her decision to do whatever she could to flee her hometown and create a better life for herself and Daniel.

You Don't Know Me will also look back on Anna's marriage to 89-year-old billionaire J. Howard Marshall, and the legal battle that ensued over Marshall's estate after his death, as well as her struggles with addiction and living her life in the glare of the spotlight.

*Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me will become available to stream on Netflix in the United Kingdom on May 16th, 2023 at 8:00 AM BST.

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