Bubba Smith autopsy completed; toxicology tests still pending

An autopsy of NFL star Bubba Smith was completed Thursday, but Los Angeles County coroner’s officials will not be able to determine the exact cause of his death this week until toxicology tests are completed.
Smith, 66, was found dead by a caretaker at his Baldwin Hills home on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

 
“At this stage I can say there was no foul play,” said Ed Winter, deputy chief of the Los Angeles County coroner's office. As is often the case in deaths with no obvious cause, Winter said coroner’s experts are conducting complex examination of levels of materials in the body to get a definitive answer.
A 6-foot-7, 280-pound defensive end, Smith was the No. 1 NFL draft pick from Michigan State University when he joined the Baltimore Colts in 1967.

He played five seasons for the Colts, which included their upset loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III and a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V. He spent two seasons with the Oakland Raiders and two more with the Houston Oilers before a knee injury ended his career in 1976.
Smith later turned to acting and starred in the hugely popular "Police Academy" movies.

Hot Zara Phillips Wedding

Zara Phillips donned a gown designed by one of her grandmother's favourite couturiers for her wedding to Mike Tindall today. Speculation had been intense over who would design the 30-year-old's dress, though many predicted Zara's choice of Stewart Parvin. The UK designer creates outfits for the Queen and in 2007 was awarded the Royal Warrant of Appointment.

The Queen's granddaughter is known for her daring outfits, but dressed to impress in the gown, chosen from the White Room in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, near her and Mr Tindall's home. The dress is an ivory silk faille and silk duchess satin gown. Faille is a soft light ribbed fabric of silk, rayon, or taffeta.

A chevron pleated bodice ending in dramatic inverted pleats on a dropped waist was designed to create a bell-shaped silhouette and the gown has a concealed structured corset. Silk tulle straps form a V at the back and the bust is in silk duchess satin, with simple bias-cut raw edged ribbons of top-stitched silk faille and duchess satin decorating the neckline and empire seam.

The full skirt has concealed pockets, a band of silk duchess satin at the hem, and a subtle train - in contrast to many previous royal brides. Delicate fabric-covered buttons decorate the centre back of the gown, from its neckline to the hem.

The equestrienne wore a fine silk tulle cathedral length bouffant-style veil, and a Greek Key tiara lent to her by her mother the Princess Royal.

The move is an echo of the Duchess of Cambridge's "something borrowed" - a 1636 Cartier tiara loaned to her by the Queen. Zara wore Jimmy Choo shoes, and carried a bouquet by London-based florist Paul Thomas. With hair styled by Evangelos Tsiapkinis at Mayfair salon Michael John and make-up by Bobbi Brown, Zara's wedding day look is a far cry from her usual understated style. Her wedding may be a world away from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's glittering April wedding where Kate wore a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen creation which featured a lace applique bodice and skirt, a veil and tiara.

But the look has shown the world a very different Zara to the one who posed outside her home with her fiance sporting a casual look of jeans, jackets and boots. A statement from Stewart Parvin said he was "proud" to have designed Zara's dress. The designer presents two fashion collections a year, as well as one bridal collection.

The statement said: "Stewart's signature style is chic, modern, understated and impeccable which is evident in the quality of fit and the cut of his bridal gowns, and mainline collections alike.

"His extensive private client list is a reflection of his dedication, discretion and extraordinary talent."