DNA tests prove Birkhead is father of Anna Nicole’s baby

DNA analysis has proved that Anna Nicole Smith’s former boyfriend Larry Birkhead is the father of her baby daughter, an expert in genetic evidence said last night.

Dr Michael Baird, who analysed the results of a March 21 DNA test, announced the results outside the court in Nassau, Bahamas, where a closed hearing in a legal battle for custody of the girl was heard.

“Essentially, he’s the biological father,” Dr Baird told reporters.

A jubilant Mr Birkhead said: “My baby’s going to be coming home pretty soon.”

Mr Birkhead announced the DNA results after the closed hearing, and then hugged his rival, Howard K Stern. The reality TV star’s lawyer-turned-companion has been caring for baby Dannielynn since Ms Smith’s sudden death in February.

Mr Stern said he would not fight for custody.

“I’m obviously very disappointed but my feelings toward Dannielynn have not changed,” Mr Stern said, adding Mr Birkhead can come to his Bahamas home to visit Dannielynn at any time.

Even Ms Smith’s mother, Virgie Arthur, who had also sought custody, seemed appeased by the DNA results. “I’m happy that Dannielynn will know who her real father is,” she said outside court.

Mr Birkhead, a Los Angeles photographer, sought custody before Anna Nicole Smith collapsed and died in a Florida hotel on February 8.

The baby, whose full name is Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, could inherit millions from the estate of Ms Smith’s late husband, J Howard Marshall II. The former model had been fighting the Texas oil tycoon’s family over his estimated $500 million fortune since his death in 1995.