Investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s Death Focused on Los Angeles

Federal authorities are centering their investigation into the death of actor Hayden Panettiere in Los Angeles. They are examining whether she obtained nonprescription pills from a local dealer. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with local investigators, have interviewed various individuals about Panettiere’s death on August 16. They are particularly looking into her consumption of suspected counterfeit oxycodone before she passed away in a Greenville, South Carolina apartment. These counterfeit pills are often found mixed with fentanyl, a substance that can be fatal in small doses.

This investigation is reminiscent of those into the deaths of actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller. Both cases led to criminal charges against the drug suppliers involved. Following a report by TMZ suggesting Panettiere might have taken a fentanyl-laced pill, the Greenville County coroner stated that toxicology tests are pending and the cause or manner of death has not been confirmed.

Paramedics and police responding to the scene found Panettiere in cardiac arrest. Dispatch audio from Broadcastify.com mentioned a possible overdose and efforts to administer CPR. Narcan was used in an attempt to revive her, but she was declared dead at 2:31 p.m. Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s longtime boyfriend who was present at the scene, provided investigators with a bag containing medications, as stated by authorities.

While Panettiere resided in Los Angeles, Hickerson is originally from Greenville. Sloan Ellis, a South Carolina attorney representing Hickerson, released a statement urging the public to allow the investigation to continue. He confirmed no foul play was detected by the police. Out of respect for Panettiere’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, no further comments were offered.

In the cases involving Perry and Miller, prosecutors successfully convicted individuals who supplied Perry with ketamine and Miller with fentanyl-laced cocaine and oxycodone pills. Perry’s death led to guilty pleas from several people, including his assistant, two doctors, a producer, and a woman referred to as the “Ketamine Queen.”