The Drug Enforcement Administration is trying to find the source of a mystery pill. Investigators believe it to be the cause of Hayden Panettiere‘s death. The former Nashville and Heroes star was found in an unresponsive condition last month inside a house in Greenville, South Carolina.
According to a new TMZ report, federal investigators are examining whether a fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill played a role in Hayden Panettiere’s death. The DEA is currently pursuing its alleged source.
Early investigation in the case showed that Panettiere was in cardiac arrest when she was initially found in Greenville. However, the cause of death was not determined.
The alleged drug source now at the center of the federal probe
The latest report claims that the DEA is in search of a “long-time drug dealer” who allegedly provided Hayden Panettiere several black-market prescription drugs, including oxycodone.
It’s also come to light that the late actress allegedly took some of the drugs she bought from her dealer during her flight from Los Angeles to South California. Authorities believe that she may have taken a pill laced with fentanyl the morning she died.
At the moment, the cause of her death has yet to be officially confirmed.
Panettiere was found dead on August 16, 2026, and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office later issued a statement mentioning that first responders and Emergency Medical Services tried their best to revive her.
However, their “resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM,” read the statement. Initially, the authorities had also found no “signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.”
The name of Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson also surfaced following her death because of their troubling past. However, he shared a statement last month while breaking his silence on the case. “Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.” Hickerson mentioned that he respects Panettiere’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
