Hayden Panettiere’s former partner Brian Hickerson has reportedly spoken to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as investigators examine whether drugs supplied by a suspected dealer contributed to the actress’s death.
Hickerson, who was at the Greenville, South Carolina, property when Panettiere was pronounced dead on 16 August, is said to have met federal agents, according to sources cited by TMZ. Investigators are reportedly focusing on identifying the person who may have supplied the drugs.
The actress, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, was 36 when she was found unresponsive at the temporary residence. Her official cause and manner of death have not yet been established.
The DEA joined the investigation on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the case cited by ABC News. Greenville City Police remain the lead agency, with federal agents assisting the parallel investigations being conducted by police and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
A spokesperson for Panettiere said: “There’s nothing to be shared at this time as the investigation is ongoing but we are hopeful that justice will be served.”
Police and emergency dispatch reports have pointed to a possible overdose, although investigators have not confirmed that drugs caused Panettiere’s death. Narcan, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was reportedly found inside the property.
A police report obtained by ABC News said Hickerson and his brother Zach were present when emergency crews attempted to revive Panettiere. The report stated that Hickerson later showed officers a bag containing medication she had been taking.
Officers recorded that Panettiere showed no obvious physical reason for being unresponsive. Paramedics carried out life-saving measures before she was pronounced dead at about 2.30pm.
An autopsy found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death. Police have also said that their preliminary investigation found no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances, while toxicology and other tests remain outstanding.
There have been no arrests in connection with Panettiere’s death. The coroner’s office has said that the final findings could take several weeks.
Hickerson’s lawyer has urged people to allow the investigation to run its course, saying police had confirmed there were no signs of foul play. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time,” the lawyer said in a statement reported by ABC News.
Hickerson and Panettiere had a turbulent relationship, and he pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He served time in custody and was placed on probation.
Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with alcohol and prescription drugs, as well as her recovery efforts. In her memoir, she described sobriety as an ongoing battle, but her condition at the time of her death has not been established.
The investigation remains focused on determining what happened in the hours before Panettiere was found and whether any person supplied substances linked to her death.
