Investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s Tragic Death
Federal authorities are investigating the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, focusing on the origin of drugs and medications linked to her demise. This mirrors similar investigations involving Matthew Perry and Mac Miller, where suppliers faced charges for their roles in those deaths.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and local investigators have interviewed several individuals regarding Panettiere’s death on August 16. Their focus is on potential controlled substances and medications found in the Greenville, South Carolina apartment where she died. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office reported that paramedics and police found Panettiere in cardiac arrest. According to dispatch audio from Broadcastify.com, there was a possible overdose, and CPR was in progress. Paramedics administered Narcan, but efforts to revive her were unsuccessful, and she was declared dead at 2:31 p.m.
The Greenville County coroner conducted an autopsy after her death but has not yet reported a formal cause. Toxicology results are still pending.
Panettiere’s death shares similarities with those of actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller, where both succumbed to drug overdoses. In their cases, suppliers were convicted, and Perry’s demise led to his assistant, doctors, and others pleading guilty. Panettiere resided in Los Angeles, but authorities noted that her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, is from Greenville. A police report outlined police responses when they arrived at the scene. The report indicated that Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were present when Panettiere died.
Brian Hickerson showed an officer a bag of medications Panettiere was taking. Key sections of the report were redacted, including statements from the brothers about their actions when they called 911. Officer Matthew Bryan, who wrote the report, recorded an interview with Brian Hickerson and noted Zach Hickerson’s emotional state as responders worked to revive the actress. Bryan also grew emotional upon Panettiere’s death. Authorities obtained footage from the apartment complex security, which assisted detectives with their search warrant.
Sloan Ellis, a South Carolina attorney for Hickerson, stated that the investigation continues and emphasized the absence of foul play. Out of respect for Panettiere’s loved ones and the investigation, no further comments were given. DEA agents and media such as People Magazine and TMZ have reported on meetings related to the actress’s death investigation.
Brian Hickerson was arrested multiple times on domestic violence charges against Panettiere, starting in May 2019. These charges were dismissed due to a lack of a material witness. In 2020, Hickerson faced an eight-count criminal indictment over several violent incidents. He pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a partner, resulting in a 45-day jail sentence, four years of probation, domestic violence classes, and a five-year protective order.