New details emerge as family grieves

Hayden Panettiere‘s cause of death appears to have been revealed. According to new reports, Panettiere died after taking a pill that proved to be fatal. 

The news was shared by TMZ, which reported that sources believe Panettiere took a pill laced with fentanyl. The outlet claims the pill was given to Panettiere by her long-term drug dealer in Los Angeles.

She reportedly took the pills from Los Angeles to South Carolina, where she died. Authorities are reportedly investigating her death further, including the connection to the drug dealer.

The news will be confirmed once Panettiere’s toxicology report is shared with the public. 

Panettiere was found in a condo in South Carolina alongside her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson. He administered Narcan to her before paramedics arrived, but it was too late.

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Hickerson’s recent bar altercation

Over the weekend, Hickerson was handcuffed in South Carolina after reportedly having an altercation at a bar. He was not arrested. 

TMZ was the first to break the news, reporting that Hickerson had been drinking for hours at the bar before the altercation, and that he threw a barstool. Videos of the altercation reportedly showed Hickerson being dragged outside of the bar and that police were called in after reports of an assault. 

One video showed Hickerson handcuffed on the curb outside the restaurant, accusing the police of leaking information about Panettiere’s death. 

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“GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died,” he shouted at officers. He and Panettiere had been dating on and off since 2018. During their relationship, there were numerous domestic violence incidents, with Brian arrested in 2019 and 2020. 

He was accompanied by his brother Zach, who was allegedly highly intoxicated during the altercation and led to a disorderly conduct arrest. 

Both brothers were reportedly at the home where Panettiere’s body was found. According to TMZ, Zach went to where Panettiere and Brian were staying after neither replied to his phone calls. Upon his arrival, Zach woke Brian up, with the two then realizing that Panettiere was unresponsive. She was 36 years old and is survived by her 11-year-old daughter and her parents. 

© Albert L. Ortega