Probe into Hayden Panettiere’s death examining whether she got counterfeit drugs from Southern California dealer, source says
Yahoo • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Federal authorities, including DEA agents, are investigating whether actress Hayden Panettiere obtained illicit or counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California, as part of the inquiry into her death on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest and could not be resuscitated; the coroner has not released an autopsy report or cause of death pending toxicology results, which are critical to determining if counterfeit narcotics were involved.
- Investigations have spanned both Greenville, where she died, and Los Angeles, where she lived, with authorities potentially expanding the probe to other locations based on findings.
- Panettiere’s representative emphasized that reports about the cause of death are unverified and urged patience as the investigation continues, while law enforcement noted no signs of foul play or trauma were found during initial examinations.
- Panettiere had publicly discussed struggles with depression and substance abuse, and her boyfriend and his brother called 911 on the day she was found unresponsive; their legal representatives have declined further comment pending the investigation.
