Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Revealed; DEA Targets Potential Drug Dealer

Hayden Panettiere died last month after ingesting oxycodone laced with fentanyl.

via: Page Six

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the “Heroes” actress had a “long-time drug dealer” in Los Angeles, who was allegedly providing Panettiere with black-market prescription drugs.

The outlet reported that she consumed several drugs she bought from the dealer on her flight from LA to South Carolina the day before she died.

However, investigators told TMZ they believe she took an oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl — a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, per the CDC — on the morning she passed away.

The outlet reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is trying to trace the fatal pill back to the alleged drug dealer by actively piecing together the relationship between that person and Panettiere.

However, any further action will depend on Panettiere’s forthcoming toxicology results.

Last week, TMZ reported that local and federal investigators believed someone sold the “Bring It On: All of Nothing” actress drugs that contributed to her Aug. 16 death.

A source confirmed to the outlet that authorities are “zeroing in on a potential drug dealer.”

Though her official cause of death has not yet been released, Page Six obtained 911 audio from the scene about an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest,” and within minutes, “CPR [was] in progress” for the “overdose.”

As previously reported, Panettiere was found unresponsive by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, in a Greenville, South Carolina, Airbnb on Aug. 16. She was 36.

Zach claimed his brother was asleep in another room while the “Scream VI” star was found in a living room chair.

According to a police report obtained by Page Six, Panettiere was taking a “bag of medication” at the time of her death.

The report also stated that Brian, who had been arrested several times for allegedly abusing Panettiere, “did not become emotional” until the actress was officially declared dead.

Narcan — a medicine typically used to reverse an opioid overdose — was also reportedly found at the scene.

Through a statement from his attorney, Brian broke his silence on the “Nashville” alum’s death.

“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” his lawyer, Sloan Ellis, told Page Six last month.

“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play,” the statement continued. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Over the weekend, Brian was handcuffed by police as he shouted about his girlfriend’s death following an alleged altercation at a bar in Greenville.

A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department stated that Brian’s brother, Zach, was “highly intoxicated” and started yelling profanities.

He was subsequently taken into custody for disorderly conduct and transported to the Greenville County Detention Center.

In a video shared online, Brian, who was released from the scene and was not charged, was handcuffed and sitting on the ground when he yelled, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).