The actress died on Aug. 16. She was 36.

Reports reveal new details on investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death, including potential cause

The actress died on Aug. 16. She was 36.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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September 14, 2026 8:36 a.m. ET

Hayden Panettiere at the ‘Blonde’ premiere in Hollywood in 2022. Credit:

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

- The probe into Hayden Panettiere’s death has become a “cross-country investigation” in both Los Angeles and South Carolina.

- The actress reportedly had a “long time drug dealer” in L.A. who allegedly gave her several prescription drugs, including oxycodone before her death.

- Panettiere died on Aug. 16. She was 36.

New details are emerging regarding the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death.

The probe into the actress’ death has become a “cross-country investigation” in both Los Angeles and South Carolina, per ABC News. The type of drugs and where they came from has become a new focal point in the investigation.

TMZ subsequently reported that Panettiere had a “long time drug dealer” in Los Angeles who allegedly gave her several prescription drugs, including oxycodone. The outlet’s sources suggest she purchased the fatal dose on a flight from L.A. to South Carolina, where she died on Aug. 16 at 36.

TMZ reports that the pill she took the morning of her death could have allegedly been laced with fentanyl.

Hayden Panettiere at the Time Warner Cable Studios and Revolt Bring the Music Revolution event in New York in February 2014.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty

On Aug. 16, first responders had found Panettiere “unresponsive” and “in cardiac arrest” at the apartment complex she had been temporarily staying, per the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. After “resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful,” she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner’s office reported that the autopsy was completed on Aug. 17, and there were “no signs of trauma” that “would have contributed to the death.”

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“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing,” the statement shared with * *continued. “No further details are available for release at this time.”

Results of the toxicology report could take several weeks.

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Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson was at the apartment complex at the time of her death. Per a police incident reported obtained by * *on Aug. 18, Brian showed police a “bag of medication” Panettiere had been taking at the time of her death. Brian’s brother, Zach Hickerson, also arrived on the scene, telling TMZ he was the one who called 911.

“I knocked loudly which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the pull-out couch bed in the living room. When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious,” he said of his arrival. “I immediately called 911, and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.”

Days after Panettiere died, Brian’s attorney released the a new statement to TMZ: Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”

Hayden Panettiere at the ‘Scream VI’ world premiere at AMC Lincoln Square in New York in March 2023.

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty

After the initial investigation was launched, Panettiere’s rep spoke out on Aug. 25 amid online speculation about what may have happened. “Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about,” her rep told *Us Weekly*. “It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”

“If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact law enforcement rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you do not fully understand,” the statement continued. “There is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served.”

*If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.*

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