Heir who feuded with Anna Nicole Smith dies

E. Pierce Marshall, who feuded for years with former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith over his father's oil fortune, has died, his spokesman said Friday. He was 67.

Marshall died unexpectedly earlier this week in the Dallas area from a brief and extremely aggressive infection, the family said in a written statement released through spokesman David Margulies. He declined to provide additional details about Marshall's death on Tuesday.

"The family would politely request that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time as they grapple with this devastating loss," the statement said.