The “suspicious” death of 20-year-old Daniel Wayne Smith, (the son of former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith) and its extensive coverage in the international media, has not resulted in any negative publicity for the country according to a tourism official.
Since the announcement of Mr Smith’s death on Sunday, various news, entertainment networks and publications in the United States, the UK and Canada have bombarded officials at Doctors Hospital and local media outlets in search of possible leads surrounding what has been described as a “mysterious” death. The same publicity was drawn to the island in 2001 when R&B singer Aaliyah died in a plane crash shortly after taking off from Abaco. Director of Communications at the Ministry of Tourism, Basil Smith, said Daniel Smith’s death has not sparked any negative publicity that would hurt the tourism industry and he empathised with the grieving celebrity on the loss of her only son. Asked if the international media had contacted the Ministry of Tourism to find out how the death of Daniel Smith could affect the industry, Mr Smith responded: “We empathize with the grieving mother, but we would rather not make a statement at this time. She is a resident of this country apparently, and she was having a baby and her son died. The most that we would say at a time like this is that we are saddened by the passing of Mrs Smith’s son and we will issue the information that we gain when it becomes available.”
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Perry Christie told the press at a US Embassy function that it was always regrettable when tourists encounter tragedies while visiting The Bahamas. But, he does not foresee the tourism industry suffering any consequences as a result of Daniel Smith’s death.
“If this was the case, the [US] Ambassador would jump on it right away to ensure that it is something that would not be attributed to The Bahamas.”
US Ambassador John Rood credited The Bahamas for its excellent medical facilities and assured the press that there would be no “long term” consequences as a result of Smith’s death.
Smith’s lifeless body was found on Sunday morning in his mother’s hospital room. Anna Nicole Smith had given birth to a 6 pound 9 ounce baby girl three days earlier. Daniel Smith’s body was identified at the morgue on Monday by his mother’s lawyer, Howard K. Stern. The exact cause of Smith’s death is still unknown and the results of his autopsy have not been publicly released to the media. However, a public inquiry headed by coroner Linda Virgill, has been set for October 23.
Anna Nicole Smith, who was recently granted permanent residency in The Bahamas, according to Prime Minister Christie, reportedly remains in the capital following the death of her son but was said to be in seclusion. A statement on Anna Nicole Smith’s website ( www.annanicole.com ) said she was “absolutely devastated” by the loss of her son even though the cause of his death has not been revealed.
It is not believed that drugs or alcohol played a part.
Anna Nicole Smith married Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II in 1994 when she was 26 and he was 89. Marshall died the following year and a feud soon ignited with Marshall’s son, Pierce Marshall, over her entitlement to the tycoon’s estate. Pierce Marshall died in June at the age of 67. International reports state that Smith won a $474 million judgment, which was later cut to about $89 million and eventually reduced to zero. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Smith could continue to pursue the fortune in federal courts in California despite a Texas state court ruling that Marshall’s youngest son was the sole heir.
By: Tamara Mckenzie, The Nassau Guardian
