Anna Nicole and lawyer joined in 'commitment ceremony'

Anna Nicole Smith and her lawyer Howard K. Stern at court in February. Picture / Reuters

Just days after the death of her only son Daniel, the bizarre saga of Anna Nicole Smith continues.

Smith and her long-time lawyer and confidant Howard K. Stern pledged their love for one another last Thursday during a secret commitment ceremony in the Bahamas, People magazine reported.

The ceremony, which was religious but not legally binding, was confirmed by Smith's attorney Michael Scott.

Following in the steps of fellow surgically-enhanced celebrity Pamela Anderson, Smith and Stern cemented their relationship on a boat, a source close to the couple told People.

The couple's announcement came just two days after Stern announced he was the real father of Smith's new baby girl, Dannielynn Hope, following claims by photojournalist Larry Birkhead that he had fathered the child.

Stern made the shock revelation during his Tuesday night appearance on Larry King Live.

He added: "We love each other and it's been going on for a very long time and because of my relationship as her lawyer, we felt it was best to keep everything hidden. And we've done a pretty good job of that."

As for the death of Smith's son Daniel, Dr. Cyril Wecht, a private pathologist hired by the Smith family, has ruled out any natural cause of death. He told People Daniel died from cardiac dysrhythmia, cause by a lethal combination of the antidepressants Zoloft and Lexapro, and the painkiller methadone - often used to treat heroin addictions.

- NZHERALD STAFF