Investigation Into Superstar Actress’ Death Takes Shocking Turn

Hayden Panettiere may have died after taking a single pill believed to be oxycodone laced with fentanyl, according to a new report, as investigators focus on the person suspected of supplying her drugs.

Multiple law enforcement sources told TMZ that the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star apparently met with her alleged longtime drug dealer in Los Angeles before flying to South Carolina.

Panettiere died Aug. 16 at a temporary residence in Greenville, just five days before her 37th birthday. First responders found the 36-year-old actress unresponsive and in cardiac arrest, but attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.

Investigators reportedly believe Panettiere took one pill on the morning of her death. Sources suspect the pill was oxycodone contaminated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid considered roughly 50 times more powerful than heroin.

However, Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death remain pending as authorities await toxicology results. An autopsy reportedly found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death.

The latest development comes after TMZ reported that investigators were “zeroing in on a potential drug dealer.”

Drug Enforcement Administration officials in Los Angeles and South Carolina are involved in the investigation, according to the outlet.

Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, was also staying at the South Carolina residence and had traveled with her from Los Angeles. He has since met with DEA officials but has not been accused or charged in connection with her death.

It is unclear what Hickerson told investigators. He previously showed police a “bag of medication” Panettiere had with her, according to a police report.

The specific medications were redacted from the report, although the document appeared to list nine different drugs.

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Panettiere had spoken publicly about her battles with addiction, including in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which was published three months before her death.

The former child star said she was only 15 when someone on her team began offering her what she called “happy pills” before red-carpet appearances.

“They were to make me peppy during interviews,” she told People magazine in 2022.

“I had no idea that this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction.”

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“But things kept getting out of control [off set],” she admitted.

“And as I got older, the drugs and alcohol became something I almost couldn’t live without.”

Panettiere said her drinking worsened while she battled postpartum depression after giving birth to her daughter, Kaya, in 2014. She shared Kaya with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.

The actress was eventually hospitalized with jaundice as her liver function deteriorated.

“Doctors told me my liver was going to give out,” she said.

“A doctor told me that if I didn’t stop drinking, I’d be dead within five years,” she revealed in her book.

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