New details have emerged surrounding the cause of death of Hayden Panettiere.
Nearly a month after the actress died suddenly at age 36, investigators are reportedly focusing on a single pill they believe may have proved fatal.
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As previously reported, Panettiere’s death has been under investigation since she was found unresponsive in South Carolina on August 16.
Now, according to TMZ, multiple law enforcement sources connected to the case believe the ‘Heroes’ star took an oxycodone pill on the morning of her death that had been laced with fentanyl.
The development marks the most significant indication yet of what authorities believe may have happened.
The outlet reports that investigators are also examining Panettiere’s alleged connection to a longtime Los Angeles drug dealer said to have supplied her with black-market prescription medication.
The DEA in both Los Angeles and South Carolina is reportedly working to trace the pill’s origin.
Crucially, authorities have cautioned that toxicology results remain pending, meaning Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death have not yet been formally established.
The development follows earlier reports that boyfriend Brian Hickerson administered Narcan after Panettiere was found unconscious. His brother later detailed the frantic effort to revive her before emergency responders arrived.
Panettiere, whose credits included ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville,’ and the ‘Scream’ franchise.
