DEA Joins Investigation Into Hayden Panettiere’s Death

The death of actress Hayden Panettiere has taken a new and potentially significant turn, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reportedly joining the investigation into her sudden death at age 36.

Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that DEA agents are assisting authorities as investigators work to determine exactly what happened to the beloved Nashville star, who was found unresponsive at a South Carolina residence on Sunday, August 16.

Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. after first responders attempted advanced cardiac life support, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. Her cause and manner of death remain pending, and officials have stressed that there were no obvious signs of trauma.

However, the circumstances surrounding her final moments have raised questions. Dispatch audio reportedly included references to an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest,” while Narcan was reportedly found inside the home, per Page Six.

According to reports, Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the residence, per CBS News. Zach reportedly discovered the Heroes actress in cardiac arrest in a chair in the living room, while Brian was asleep in another bedroom.

The DEA’s involvement reportedly comes as Greenville police conduct a parallel investigation, separate from the coroner’s inquiry. Authorities are working to establish the cause and manner of Hayden’s unexpected death.

Adding another layer to the unfolding story, Greenville police officers went to a home belonging to a member of Brian’s family on Wednesday morning, just days after the former child star’s death. Officers reportedly arrived around 8:20 a.m., knocked on several doors and left after receiving no response, per Page Six.

But police later clarified that the visit was not connected to Hayden’s death investigation.

Hayden and Brian were first linked in 2018, and their relationship was marked by serious legal troubles. He pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a partner stemming from a 2020 domestic violence case involving the film star. He received a 45-day jail sentence, four years of formal probation, domestic violence classes and a five-year protective order.

Yet Hayden later spoke about forgiveness, saying she believed Brian had “done his time and was willing to get help.”

“I think about the things I have done in my life that people forgave me for. Making amends is a really important thing that you learn in treatment," she said.

She leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former partner Wladimir Klitschko.