Birkhead: 'Smith took so many drugs'

Anna Nicole Smith's former partner Larry Birkhead has claimed that the model took more drugs than anyone he had ever known.

The photojournalist made this statement under oath at a hearing to ascertain whether Smith's doctors Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich and her lawyer Howard Stern acted inappropriately by giving the actress drugs.

Smith died in 2007, aged 39, following an overdose of prescription medication.

The initial investigation into her cause of death found it was accidental, but it was subsequently decided that the case should be re-examined.

Commenting on his ex-girlfriend at the latest hearing, New Magazine reports that Birkhead said: "She took more medications than I've ever seen anyone take."

He also claimed that he had alerted Kapoor to the fact he was concerned about Smith's drug use.

The photographer stated: "I said to him that she might be taking medicine from someone else in addition to him. He said, 'I believe we have that under control now'."

Birkhead also revealed he had once seen Stern pass a bag of drugs to Smith while she was supposed to be detoxing in hospital.

Kapoor, Eroshevich and Stern have all pleaded not guilty to any wrongdoing.