Hayden Panettiere's Representative Denies Reports of Fentanyl-Laced Pill Causing Death
The actress's representative stated that recent reports are "unverified hearsay" and cautioned patience as the investigation continues.
Hayden Panettiere's representative has refuted reports suggesting the actress died after consuming a single fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill. The statement comes amid ongoing investigations into Panettiere's death.
"As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise," the representative told Us Weekly. "Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate."
The representative urged for patience, stating, "While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold. The answers we are all seeking will come."
Earlier this week, TMZ reported that investigators believe Panettiere ingested an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. The outlet also reported that the actress allegedly consumed several drugs purchased from a dealer in Los Angeles prior to her flight to South Carolina, the day before her death.
Text conversations between Panettiere and an alleged drug dealer have reportedly become a focus of the Drug Enforcement Administration's investigation. A federal law enforcement source told TMZ that Panettiere and the dealer were "very specific about purchasing black market pills."
In August, DEA agents searched Panettiere's Los Angeles home as part of the investigation. Authorities were reportedly looking for drugs the actress may have been taking and testing them for fentanyl contamination.
Panettiere was found unresponsive on August 16 in an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina. Her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, performed CPR and administered Narcan upon discovering her. EMS workers attempted life-saving measures for nearly an hour before she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 36 years old.
According to a police report obtained by Page Six, Panettiere was reportedly taking a "bag of medication" at the time of her death.
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