Federal authorities investigating the death of actor Hayden Panettiere are concentrating their efforts in Los Angeles, looking into whether she obtained nonprescription pills from a dealer in the area.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents, along with local investigators, have questioned several individuals regarding the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death on August 16. The focus of their inquiry is on her taking what has been described as counterfeit oxycodone before she died inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Counterfeit pills of this nature have frequently been found to contain fentanyl, a substance known to be deadly even in small doses.
The trajectory of this investigation bears a resemblance to probes into the deaths of other public figures, including actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller. Both of those cases ultimately led to criminal charges against their respective drug suppliers. In Perry's case, prosecutors secured convictions for those who supplied him with ketamine. Similarly, convictions were obtained against individuals who supplied Miller with cocaine and oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.
Following a report from TMZ suggesting investigators were working on a theory that Panettiere ingested a fentanyl-laced pill, the Greenville County coroner issued a statement. The coroner clarified that toxicology testing remains pending and that neither a cause nor manner of death has yet been determined.
Paramedics and police responded to the scene, where they found Panettiere in cardiac arrest, according to the coroner’s office. Dispatch audio recordings available on Broadcastify.com referenced a possible overdose and indicated that CPR was in progress. Narcan was reportedly administered, and paramedics attempted to resuscitate her. She was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s longtime boyfriend, was present at the scene and provided investigators with a bag of medications, according to authorities. While Panettiere lived in Los Angeles, Hickerson is a native of Greenville.
Sloan Ellis, a South Carolina attorney hired to represent Hickerson after Panettiere's death, issued a statement, saying: “Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.” Ellis also noted that police had publicly confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, Ellis stated there would be no further comment at this time.
The investigation continues, with federal and local authorities working to piece together the details surrounding the actor's death and the potential Los Angeles connection to the source of the pills involved.
