Hayden Panettiere's Death: Investigators Reportedly Believe Fentanyl-Laced Pill May Have Been Involved | Just Jared

Hayden Panettiere‘s death remains under investigation, and a new report is revealing what authorities reportedly believe may have happened.

The Nashville and Heroes actress passed away on August 16 at the age of 36 after she was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.

What Do Investigators Believe Happened to Hayden Panettiere?

Nearly a month later, law enforcement sources are claiming that investigators are looking into whether Hayden unknowingly took an oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl.

According to TMZ, multiple law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the investigation say their current working theory is that Hayden took the pill on the morning of her passing.

The outlet’s sources claim Hayden had obtained oxycodone and other black-market prescription drugs from a longtime dealer in Los Angeles before traveling to South Carolina.

She reportedly took several of the drugs during her flight from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her passing. Investigators now believe an oxycodone pill she took the following morning may have contained fentanyl, according to TMZ.

What Is Hayden Panettiere’s Official Cause of Death?

However, that has not been established as Hayden‘s official cause of death. Toxicology results remain pending, and TMZ‘s law enforcement sources cautioned that the results will be key to determining whether their theory is correct.

The outlet also reports that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Los Angeles is investigating Hayden‘s alleged connection to the dealer and attempting to determine where the pill came from.

Why Is the DEA Investigating Hayden Panettiere’s Passing?

The DEA was previously confirmed to be involved in the investigation into Hayden‘s passing. Authorities in South Carolina and federal investigators in Los Angeles have reportedly been pursuing leads as they try to determine what happened.

Earlier this month, it was also reported that Hayden’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson met with DEA officials as part of the ongoing investigation. People reported that investigators have interviewed other individuals as well.

Brian was with Hayden when she became unresponsive and reportedly administered Narcan before paramedics arrived.

An autopsy was completed following Hayden‘s passing, and the coroner previously confirmed that there were “no signs of trauma” that contributed to her death.

Her official cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation.

Our continued thoughts are with Hayden‘s loved ones.

There is also an update about Brian Hickerson, who was just detained after an alleged bar brawl, and shouted something related to Hayden‘s passing while in handcuffs.

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