Hayden Panettiere’s suspected cause of death revealed
Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Pannetiere died last month aged 36.
Hayden Panettiere may have died after taking a pill that law enforcement sources believe was oxycodone laced with fentanyl, according to TMZ.
Sources connected to the investigation told TMZ that Panettiere had a longtime drug dealer in Los Angeles who allegedly supplied her with black-market prescription drugs, including oxycodone.
Authorities believe she took several drugs purchased from the dealer while travelling from Los Angeles to South Carolina on the day before her death, and that it is believed she took an oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl the morning of her death.
The DEA in Los Angeles is now investigating the relationship between Panettiere and the alleged dealer and attempting to trace the suspected fatal pill back to its source. Both California and South Carolina authorities are involved in the investigation.
As reported by TMZ, Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, administered Narcan after finding her unresponsive and gave first responders a bag containing her prescription medications. Authorities are also examining those medications as part of the investigation.
The official cause of death has not been confirmed. Toxicology results are still pending, and law enforcement sources told TMZ that their theory could change depending on the findings.
Panettiere’s death was announced on Sunday (16 August) via a statement from her father: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Panettiere began her acting career at just 11 months old, with her first role being a toy advert. At age nine, she voiced Dot in ‘A Bug’s Life’, which was her film debut. From this point on, Panettiere worked steadily before taking on the iconic role of Claire Bennet in ‘Heroes’. The hit show ran for four seasons and catapulted Panettiere into fame.
She also went on to star in the hit show ‘Nashville’ as troubled musician Juliette Barnes. This role earned her two Golden Globe nominations and saw 11 of her songs enter Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts.
She published her memoir earlier this year, ‘This is Me: A Reckoning’, in which she spoke about the struggles she has had with fame, addiction and recovery. She also spoke about her sexuality, coming out as bisexual. Of coming out, she said: “I had to wait until I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never.”
