Actress Hayden Panettiere died after ingesting a single pill believed to have been oxycodone laced with fentanyl, according to a report Monday. Law enforcement officials are reportedly focusing on identifying and apprehending her alleged drug dealer.
Sources close to the investigation told TMZ that Panettiere, who died in South Carolina on August 16, may have obtained the pill in Los Angeles shortly before traveling. The opioid is reportedly 50 times more potent than heroin. While authorities have not officially released the exact cause of death, they anticipate toxicology results could take up to 12 weeks.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is involved in the investigation, with officials in both Los Angeles and South Carolina reportedly examining the case. Brian Hickerson, Panettiere's on-again, off-again ex-boyfriend, who was present at the time of her death, has reportedly met with DEA officials. Hickerson had previously informed police that Panettiere was in possession of a "bag of medication" at the time of her death. Details regarding the types and quantities of medications are currently redacted in police reports.
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," had been open about her struggles with addiction. Her memoir, "This is Me: A Reckoning," published three months prior to her death, detailed her battles with alcohol, opioid addiction, and postpartum depression. She recounted receiving "happy pills" at age 15 to appear energetic during interviews, marking the beginning of her addiction. Her struggles intensified after her role in "Heroes" at age 16, leading to a dependence on drugs and alcohol as she grew older. Postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014, compounded by her relationship with former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, led her to alcohol, which she stated doctors warned could lead to liver failure and death within five years if not stopped.