DEA Joins Investigation Into Hayden Panettiere’s Death, TMZ Reports
The investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death has taken another major turn.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the multi-agency investigation surrounding the actress’ death, according to an exclusive report from TMZ.
Panettiere died Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36 after she was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.
DEA Now Involved In The Investigation
According to TMZ, federal drug investigators are now involved in the case as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death.
The development comes after TMZ previously reported that law enforcement was investigating whether criminal conduct could have played a role in her death.
The involvement of the DEA adds another layer to an investigation that initially appeared to center on a possible drug-related emergency.
However, there has been no official determination that drugs caused Panettiere’s death, and authorities have not accused anyone of causing her death.
Questions About Drugs Remain
Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest and unresponsive when emergency responders arrived.
A 911 dispatch recording reportedly referenced a possible overdose, while reports have also indicated that Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, was present at the scene.
Despite those details, the official cause of death remains pending.
The coroner’s preliminary examination reportedly found no signs of trauma, while toxicology and additional testing are still needed before officials can determine exactly what happened.
Brian Hickerson Was At The Scene
The latest development comes as authorities continue looking closely at the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s final hours.
Her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was at the residence when she was found unresponsive, along with his brother Zach.
According to previously released police information, Zach was involved in the emergency response, while Brian reportedly directed officers to a bag containing medications Panettiere had been taking.
Her Mother Says Investigators Have Questions
The DEA development also follows comments from Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel.
Vogel recently told NBC News that she had been informed authorities were investigating her daughter’s death and that a narcotics investigator had been brought into the case.
She said investigators appeared to have questions about what happened to Hayden. TMZ had previously reported that police were looking into whether some form of illegality was connected to the death.
The Official Cause Of Death Is Still Pending
For now, the DEA’s involvement does not mean that authorities have concluded a crime occurred.
The investigation remains ongoing, and toxicology results are still expected to provide crucial information.
Panettiere was only 36 when she died, leaving behind her daughter, Kaya, and a career that included major roles in Heroes and Nashville.
As investigators continue searching for answers, the involvement of a federal drug enforcement agency marks one of the most significant developments yet in the case.
According to TMZ, the DEA has now joined the investigation. The official cause and manner of Hayden Panettiere’s death have not yet been determined.
