As more details continue to emerge in the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, some questions remain.
The “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, 36, died Aug. 16 at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, from the “toxic effects of fentanyl” and other drugs, according to a statement from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. An investigative report later revealed that pills containing fentanyl and an unidentified white powder were found with the former child star at the time of her death.
Now that investigators are revealing more details about the circumstances of Panettiere’s death, here’s what we know and what we’re watching as the investigation continues.
Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death included 4-ANPP and methocarbamol
Panettiere died from the “toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine,” according to a release from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used for pain relief and is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an anesthetic, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“The manner of death was ruled accidental” and no signs of trauma were found that contributed to Panettiere’s death, the statement added.
Investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death finds other drugs found with star
At the scene of her fatal overdose, authorities found a bottle of Adderall as well as blue pressed pills and a cut straw that tested positive for fentanyl in Panettiere’s makeup bag, according to USA TODAY Network’s Greenville News, which obtained the investigation report from the Greenville County medical examiner.
Other prescription bottles were also found on the kitchen table, and glass vials and prefilled and empty syringes were found in a small lunch box inside the refrigerator, according to the report.
The investigation report also states that unidentified white powder in a small transparent plastic bag was found in a sunglasses case packed in the actress’ suitcase. It was not immediately clear whether the white powder found in his suitcase had been tested or identified, the report added.
Investigation into the death of Hayden Panettiere reveals drugs found with star: report
What Brian Hickerson told investigators at the scene after Hayden Panettiere’s death
Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and her brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the scene and called 911 when the actress went into cardiac arrest. Today, investigators reveal what Hickerson told them after his fatal overdose.
Brian Hickerson told investigators the couple had arrived in South Carolina the night before, according to the Greenville County investigative report obtained by Greenville News.
In the morning, Panettiere woke up and put on makeup, he said, and the couple ate cereal together before going back to sleep. Brian Hickerson said he woke up in the afternoon when Zach Hickerson knocked on his door so the trio could go to breakfast, but when they went to wake Panettiere, they found her “applesauce criss-crossed,” face down and unconscious on a sofa bed.
Brian Hickerson said he administered several cans of Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse life-threatening opioid overdoses, but nothing changed. He told his brother to call 911 and they began CPR until help arrived.
One of the brothers told the deputy that Panettiere had a long history of drug, alcohol and nitrous oxide abuse.
The report also said a redacted name, believed to be Brian Hickerson, did not know Panettiere was using illegal substances that day or the day before, but said she was very good at hiding them and that he had previously administered Narcan to her.
Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend arrested, her brother arrested
On September 12, nearly a month after the “Remember the Titans” actress died, her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was briefly arrested by police following a reported assault at the Wild Wing Café in Greenville, South Carolina. The 38-year-old man was among “several customers” arrested during the alleged altercation, but was later released at the scene without any charges.
Police also arrested his brother Zach Hickerson – who was allegedly “highly intoxicated” and “began shouting profanities in a public place” – and subsequently booked him into the Greenville County Detention Center. He was released the next day after paying a $150 fine on Sept. 23, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY on Sept. 24.
Zach Hickerson’s case has since been resolved.
Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend’s Brother resolves lawsuit after arrest
Investigators continue to search for source of fentanyl pills
Questions remain about the source of the fentanyl-laced pills.
Investigators from the DEA and other departments, in Los Angeles and South Carolina, are focused on identifying the drugs that contributed to his death and where those drugs came from, according to ABC News, citing unnamed sources.
The department has not commented on the status of the investigation, only noting that it is “active” and telling Greenville, South Carolina station WYFF4 that “these cases are complex and take time to develop.”
Contributor: Terry Benjamin II, Greenville News; Brendan Morrow, Sameen Chaudhry, KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Questions remain as details continue to emerge about Hayden Panettiere’s death
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