Hayden Panettiere rep calls cause of death claims ‘unverified hearsay’
Hayden Panettiere (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere’s representative has pushed back against reports that the actress died after taking a single fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill, stressing that her death remains under investigation and official toxicology results have not yet been completed.
In a statement to Page Six, Panettiere’s representative described recent reports attributed to unnamed sources as “unverified hearsay” and said they contained conflicting information.
“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 said.
“Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.”
The representative added: “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.”
Panettiere was found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina, Airbnb on 16 August and was pronounced dead at the scene, aged 36. Emergency responders reportedly carried out life-saving measures for nearly an hour.
What’s known about the investigation
Claims about what investigators believe happened have continued to circulate online in the weeks since her death.
TMZ has reported that investigators believe Panettiere took an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl on the morning she died. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
The representative’s statement pointed back to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, stressing that toxicology results have not yet been completed. Police were previously said to have found no initial signs of foul play and the circumstances did not appear suspicious ahead of an autopsy, as stated when her death was confirmed.
According to TMZ, multiple law-enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation believe the pill was purchased from a longtime Los Angeles drug dealer who allegedly supplied Panettiere with black-market prescription drugs. The outlet reported that she had taken several drugs purchased from the dealer with her on a flight from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before she died.
However, TMZ itself noted that the theory remains dependent on toxicology results. Those results have not yet been released, meaning the reported fentanyl-laced pill has not been publicly established as the cause of Panettiere’s death.
Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, died on August 16 at the age of 36 after she was found unresponsive at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina. Her official cause and manner of death have not yet been established.
The reported fentanyl theory has emerged as part of a wider federal investigation into the source of drugs Panettiere may have obtained before her death.
Panettiere’s career and public profile
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 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.”
