Anne Nicole Smith Investigated for¿ MURDER | SPIKE

Was Anna Nicole Smith involved in a bizarre murder-for-hire plot? The FBI thought so, spending two years investigating the matter.

At the time of the investigation, Anna Nicole Smith was embroiled in a long court case with “stepson” E. Pierce Marshall over the $550 million estate of Smith’s late husband J. Howard Marshall II. Anna Nicole Smith famously married the octogenarian at age 26 after meeting him in a strip club where she performed. Marshall died a year into their marriage.

The FBI did not disclose how they became aware of the possible murder-for-hire plot. Smith was questioned as part of the investigation and denied any involvement:

Smith told agents that killing Pierce Marshall would not have made sense because her ex-husband's money would still be tied up in a trust, and because she believed the court battle over the fortune was nearly over, the report states. She told agents she believed the story about the plot was made up by a former lover angry that she broke off their relationship.

FBI records show that Anne Nicole Smith “adamantly denied ever contemplating such a crime.” The FBI did remove a 357-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, a 3 1/2-inch stainless steel knife and, strangely, a black and orange hat described as "Dr. Seuss." The belongings were returned to Smith seven months later.

The report concluded that there was “insufficient evidence to establish that there was a murder-for-hire plot by Ms. Smith to kill Pierce Marshall” and Smith was never charged.

E. Pierce Marshall passed away in 2006 at age 67 from complications involving an infection. Anne Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose in 2007.

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