Hayden Panettiere may have died after taking one pill: New details emerge
Hayden Panettiere (photo: Getty Images)
The investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death in the US is continuing. This time, it was revealed that on the day of the tragedy, the actress may have taken an oxycodone pill contaminated with a dangerous substance, according to TMZ.
What pill may Hayden Panettiere have taken
Law enforcement officials believe that on the morning of her death, the actress took an oxycodone pill that they suspect may have contained fentanyl. However, this has not yet been definitively confirmed, as toxicology results are still pending.
According to sources, Panettiere had a longtime dealer in Los Angeles who supplied her with prescription drugs from the black market, including oxycodone.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently investigating a possible connection between the actress and her supplier in Los Angeles. They are trying to determine whether the pill she took before her death could have come from him.
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Panettiere may have taken a pill containing fentanyl (photo: Getty Images)
What is known about Hayden Panettiere’s death
It was previously reported that the actress’s ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had already spoken with DEA officials. When medics arrived at the rental property in Greenville where Panettiere was found, he handed law enforcement a bag containing her prescription medications.
Hickerson also tried to save the actress before medics arrived — he gave her a medication to reverse the effects of opioids. However, neither his efforts nor those of the doctors were successful.
Hayden died on August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. She was found unconscious and in cardiac arrest.
A preliminary forensic examination found no signs of injuries on her body. The official cause and circumstances of her death are still being determined.
Panettiere was known for her roles in the TV series Heroes and Nashville, as well as films in the Scream franchise. The actress had openly spoken about her struggles with addiction and her recovery journey. She is also survived by her daughter, Kaya, from her relationship with Wladimir Klitschko.
