Investigation Into Hayden Panettiere's Death Links to Fake Drugs
WHO:
CNN - Hayden Panettiere, a 36-year-old actress.
CNN - Kasey Kitchen, Panettiere’s representative.
CNN - Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s boyfriend.
CNN - Zach Hickerson, Brian's brother.
CNN - Greenville County coroner.
TMZ - Federal drug agents from the DEA.
WHAT:
Page Six - The DEA believes Panettiere’s death came after she consumed one oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl.
Page Six - The DEA is awaiting Panettiere’s toxicology results for further action.
Page Six - Panettiere allegedly consumed several drugs she bought from the dealer on her flight from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before she died.
CNN - An investigation is examining whether Panettiere obtained counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California.
CNN - Medics found Panettiere in cardiac arrest and were unable to resuscitate her on August 16.
CNN - The coroner has not released an autopsy report or the cause of death, pending toxicology tests.
CNN - Investigators are looking into the possibility that Panettiere died after taking a counterfeit pill.
TMZ - Panettiere's Los Angeles home was searched by DEA agents for drug evidence shortly after her death.
WHERE:
CNN - The investigation spans from Southern California to Greenville, South Carolina.
CNN - The apartment where Panettiere was found is located in Greenville, South Carolina.
TMZ - The search took place at Panettiere's home in Los Angeles.
WHEN:
CNN - Panettiere was found on August 16.
CNN - An autopsy was performed on August 17.
WHY:
CNN - The investigation is focused on the potential sale of counterfeit pills that resemble prescription medication, which have been linked to deaths.
HOW:
Page Six - Brian Hickerson performed CPR and administered Narcan to Panettiere in the moments after she was discovered unresponsive.
CNN - DEA agents and local authorities are questioning individuals about the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death.
CNN - Investigators are conducting toxicology tests to determine the substances in Panettiere's system at the time of her death.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 10:40 UTC)
The DEA believes that actress Hayden Panettiere's death resulted from consuming an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl, and they are currently awaiting toxicology results for further action. It is reported that Panettiere allegedly took several drugs purchased from a dealer during her flight from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her passing. In the moments after she was found unresponsive, Brian Hickerson performed CPR and administered Narcan in an attempt to revive her.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 02:03 UTC)
An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding actress Hayden Panettiere's death, as authorities examine whether she obtained counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California. Medics found Panettiere in cardiac arrest in her Greenville, South Carolina apartment, and while an autopsy was performed shortly after, the coroner has yet to release the cause of death pending toxicology tests. DEA agents have searched her Los Angeles home for drug evidence and are questioning individuals connected to the case as they look into the potential sale of counterfeit pills linked to her passing.