Hayden Panettiere reportedly took a single oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl the morning she died last month.
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 allegedly 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 that they believe she took an oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl — a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — on the morning she died.
Hayden Panettiere (seen walking in LaGuardia Airport in May) reportedly consumed an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl the morning she died. Ron Asadorian / Amirmeetsny / BACKGRID
Law enforcement sources told TMZ the “Heroes” actress (seen above at Bring the Music Revolution in 2014) had a “long-time drug dealer” in Los Angeles. Eugene Gologursky
The outlet reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration is trying to trace the fatal pill back to the alleged drug dealer by piecing together the relationship between that person and Panettiere.
Any further action will depend on Panettiere’s forthcoming toxicology results.
“The investigation is still ongoing. Law enforcement has not disclosed who they are targeting, but I am told the case is complex. We hope to have more answers soon,” Panettiere’s rep told us in a statement.
Per the CDC, fentanyl is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US.
“Synthetic opioids like fentanyl contribute to nearly 70% of overdose deaths. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over the last few years, nonfatal and fatal overdoses involving fentanyl have continued to rise,” their official website states.
“Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips. Test strips to detect fentanyl are inexpensive and typically give results within five minutes, which can be the difference between life or death.”
The drug dealer was allegedly providing Panettiere (seen above in a selfie in 2020) with black-market prescription drugs, including oxy. haydenpanettiere/Instagram
The Drug Enforcement Administration is trying to trace the fatal pill back to the alleged drug dealer, the outlet reported. (Pictured: Panettiere in NYC in 2024.) GC Images
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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.”
Panettiere (seen above in May) was found unresponsive by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, in South Carolina on Aug. 16. haydenpanettiere/Instagram
Brian had been in another room when Zach found the “Scream VI” star. (Pictured: Cops outside the Judson Mill Lofts in South Carolina.) Robin Rayne for NY Post
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 abusing Panettiere, “did not become emotional” until the actress was declared dead.
Brian (seen above with the actress at a boxing match in 2018) told cops Panettiere was taking a “bag of medication” at the time of her death. Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock
Last month, Brian (seen holding hands with the actress in Florida) broke his silence about Panettiere’s death with a statement through his attorney. / SplashNews.com
Narcan, a medicine typically used to reverse an opioid overdose, was also reportedly found at the scene.
In a statement released via 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. 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.
Brian (seen arriving at court in 2020) was handcuffed by police following a bar altercation over the weekend. GLH / BACKGRID
Brian (seen above with Panettiere in LA in 2019) was released from the scene and was not charged. GC Images
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 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).