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The DEA has joined the investigation into Hayden Panettiere's death
The feds have joined the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death. According to reports, the Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the multi-agency investigation into the Heroes and Nashville star’s death.
Hayden Panettiere was found dead at the age of 36 on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. The actress was best known for her work in projects such as the TV series Heroes and Nashville, and the Scream franchise.
TMZ has reported that the DEA is now assisting Greenville PD and the coroner’s office, which are already conducting parallel investigations to determine whether criminal conduct was involved.
The DEA has joined the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death, suggesting the feds believe that drugs were involved
At this time, no official cause of death has been determined. The coroner has said toxicology results are pending, and neither law enforcement nor family members have confirmed drug use as a contributing factor. Still, the presence of the DEA suggests the agency believes drugs were involved in her death.
“Remember, paramedics are heard telling a dispatcher Hayden had suffered a possible ‘overdose.’ Also, TMZ broke the story … Narcan — an over-the-counter OD treatment — was found in the apartment where Hayden died.”
“The DEA’s involvement harkens back to another celeb death … the Matthew Perry case. Matthew died in 2023 from a ketamine overdose, and the feds swooped in for a months-long investigation that eventually secured 5 convictions related to his death — including 2 doctors and the dealer who was known around L.A. as the ‘Ketamine Queen.'” [via TMZ]
The DEA declined to comment, with a spokesperson saying the agency “does not confirm or comment on active investigations.”
Panettiere was 36 years old. She is survived by her daughter Kaya, who lives in Ukraine with her father, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Toxicology results are not expected for several weeks.