Federal authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, focusing on the origin of drugs and medications involved. This investigation mirrors similar cases, such as the deaths of Matthew Perry and Mac Miller, where suppliers were charged.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, alongside local officials, have interrogated several individuals concerning Panettiere’s death on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities are scrutinizing controlled substances and medications implicated in her death within the apartment, sources familiar with the probe revealed.
Upon arriving, paramedics found Panettiere in cardiac arrest, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. Dispatch audio recordings from Broadcastify.com mentioned a potential overdose and CPR efforts underway. Narcan was administered by paramedics; however, resuscitation attempts were futile, and she was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
Panettiere’s demise bears resemblance to actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller, both victims of overdoses. In their cases, convictions were secured against those supplying Perry with ketamine and Miller with cocaine laced with fentanyl. Matthew Perry’s death involved guilty pleas from several individuals, including his assistant and medical professionals.
In Greenville, the coroner performed an autopsy on Panettiere, but a formal cause of death hasn’t been confirmed as toxicology results are pending.
Although Panettiere lived in Los Angeles, her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, is from Greenville, local authorities confirmed. Police reports highlight that Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were with Panettiere during her death.
A police officer, Matthew Bryan, noted the presence of medications which Panettiere was prescribed according to Hickerson. Several portions of the reports are redacted, including statements given to authorities when 911 was contacted.
Officer Bryan recorded an interview with Brian Hickerson via his body camera and described Zach Hickerson’s emotional state as responders attempted CPR on Panettiere.
Further investigations led to the acquisition of security footage outlining the activities of the trio’s apartment visits, which are aiding detectives with obtaining search warrants. Brian Hickerson’s attorney Sloan Ellis stated the investigation is ongoing and respects privacy for Panettiere’s loved ones.
Previously, Brian Hickerson faced multiple arrests related to domestic violence incidents involving Panettiere, starting in May 2019. Though charges were initially dropped due to lack of a material witness, he pleaded no contest in a subsequent indictment covering several violent occurrences. He received a 45-day jail sentence, four years of probation, domestic violence class attendance, and a protective order.