Anna Nicole Bahamas burial upheld

Smith's life and death have been marked by high-profile court battles

A Florida appeals court has upheld a judge's ruling that the late Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith should be buried in the Bahamas.

The ruling had been challenged by her mother, who wanted her laid to rest in Smith's native Texas.

But the appeals court confirmed the initial decision, which argued the model had wanted to be buried near her son who died in the Bahamas last year.

The burial is expected to take place later this week.

Last week Judge Larry Seidlin presided over emotional hearings about who had the right to decide where the ceremony would be held.

Both Smith's first husband and her long-time partner, lawyer Howard K Stein, said she should be buried with her son in the Bahamas, which she had latterly made her home.

The judge agreed, and gave custody of the body to the court-appointed guardian of Smith's five-month-old daughter, Dannielynn.

The guardian is arranging a funeral in the Bahamas.

The matter was further complicated by the testimony of an ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead who says he is the baby's father.

The paternity issue is due to be decided by a court in California.

Smith, who married an elderly billionaire in 1994, died on 8 February of unknown causes.