- Annabel Heald Smith was one of the 6 guests at the party where Mark was killed. The flat belonged to Paul Roundhill.
- She is a 50-year-old textile designer with an expertise in designing flowers and natural organics.
- Claims there was an argument between Mark and Doherty at the party. Says Mark was ‘incredibly drunk’ although the toxicology report showed that Mark, who was 6ft 4in, had drunk the equivalent of about four pints of lager. ((Bracchi, Paul (05 December 2009) “‘My brilliant son was murdered, so why won’t Pete Doherty tell me what happened?’ says mother of party plunge actor“. Mail Online))
- Said Mr Roundhill then snatched Mr Blanco’s hat from his head, poured lighter fuel over it and set fire to it in an ashtray, which Mr Roundhill has said was an attempt to “distract” him. ((Unknown Author (08 December 2006) “Did he fall – or was he pushed? Questions surround Doherty and the party death “. London Evening Standard))
- Annabel initially claimed that Mr Roundhill, Doherty and Headlock went to the door, but did not go outside. This fitted with the version of events given by Roundhill, who claimed he punched Mark several times and ejected him from the party. ((Unknown Author (08 December 2006) “Did he fall – or was he pushed? Questions surround Doherty and the party death “. London Evening Standard))
- However Annabel confessed to Mark’s sister Emma that in fact Roundhill, Doherty and Headlock all went outside the flat with Mark. This version was also given to the media ((Unknown Author (04 December 2007) “Police re-open probe into balcony death of actor at Pete Doherty party“. Mail Online)) but it is unclear which version Annabel gave to the police.
- Told the official inquest that Mark was ejected from the party only once. However CCTV footage from the night shows Mark returned a second time. 52 seconds after Mark returned to the party he is seen falling to his death. ((Bracchi, Paul (05 December 2009) “‘My brilliant son was murdered, so why won’t Pete Doherty tell me what happened?’ says mother of party plunge actor“. Mail Online))
- Annabel claims she found Mark dying on the street at 12.39am and rushed upstairs to get another female guest.
- She says that Roundhill came down with a gin and tonic and then went back upstairs and threw down some tissues from the balcony, shouting ”Sorry Mark, sorry Mark’. ((Rayner, Gordon (08 December 2006) “Did he fall – or was he pushed? Questions surround Doherty and the party death“. Mail Online)) The ambulance was called four minutes later.
Quotes in Media
Mark was incredibly drunk, really out of order. You couldn’t stop him talking. There were raised voices. At one point we started to reach a crisis. He pinned Pete Doherty up against a wall near the fireplace, he had one arm each side of him. Pete was looking around, as if asking for help. He seemed to be getting a bit desperate. Mark was going on and on in his face. ((Unknown Author (08 December 2006) “Did he fall – or was he pushed? Questions surround Doherty and the party death “. London Evening Standard))