Hayden Panettiere died after taking an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl, according to law enforcement sources speaking to TMZ. The report indicates that a Los Angeles-based drug dealer supplied her with prescription drugs, which she allegedly consumed on the day before her death during a flight from LA to South Carolina. Investigators are attempting to trace the source of the fatal pill but await toxicology results for further action. Her cause of death remains officially unconfirmed, though 911 audio suggests an overdose scenario involving CPR and Narcan at the scene in Greenville, South Carolina.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Hayden Panettiere reportedly took an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl the morning she died last month.
uncertain
she → take → fentanyl
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the “Heroes” actress had a “long time drug dealer” in Los Angeles, who was allegedly providing Panettiere with black-market prescription drugs.
uncertain
who → tell → drugs
The outlet reported that the “Nashville” alum consumed several drugs she bought from the dealer on her flight from LA to South Carolina the day before she died.
asserted
she → report → Carolina
Investigators told TMZ they believe she took an oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl — a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, per the CDC — on the morning she passed away.
asserted
she → tell → morning
The outlet reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is trying to trace the fatal pill back to the alleged drug dealer by actively piecing together the relationship between that person and Panettiere.
However, any further action will depend on Panettiere’s forthcoming toxicology results.
asserted
action → report → results
Last week, TMZ reported that local and federal investigators believed someone sold the “Bring It On: All of Nothing” actress drugs that contributed to her Aug. 16 death.
asserted
that → report → death
Though her official cause of death has not yet been released, Page Six obtained 911 audio from the scene about an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest,” and within minutes, “CPR [was] in progress” for the “overdose.”
asserted
CPR → release → overdose
As previously reported, Panettiere was found unresponsive by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, in a Greenville, South Carolina, Airbnb on Aug. 16.
asserted
Panettiere → report → Aug.
Zach claimed his brother was asleep in another room while the “Scream VI” star was found in a living room chair.
asserted
star → claim → chair
According to a police report obtained by Page Six, Panettiere was taking a “bag of medication” at the time of her death.
uncertain
Panettiere → accord → death
The report also stated that Brian, who had been arrested several times for allegedly abusing Panettiere, “did not become emotional” until the actress was officially declared dead.
uncertain
actress → state → Panettiere
Narcan — a medicine typically used to reverse an opioid overdose — was also reportedly found at the scene.
uncertain
Narcan → use → scene
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” his lawyer, Sloan Ellis, told Page Six last month.
asserted
lawyer → remain → investigation
“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play,” the statement continued.
asserted
statement → report → play
A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department stated that Brian’s brother, Zach, was “highly intoxicated” and started yelling profanities.
asserted
brother → state → profanities
He was subsequently taken into custody for disorderly conduct and transported to the Greenville County DetentionCenter.
asserted
He → take → DetentionCenter
In a video shared online, Brian, who was released from the scene and was not charged, was handcuffed and sitting on the ground when he yelled, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.”
asserted
girlfriend → share → it
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
asserted
you → care → HELP
Your voice matters.
asserted
voice → matter → ?
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asserted
Discussions → moderate → civility
Read our guidelines
Hayden Panettiere (seen walking in LaGuardia Airport in May) reportedly consumed an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl the morning she died.
uncertain
she → read → fentanyl
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the "Heroes" actress (seen above at Bring the Music Revolution in 2014) had a "long time drug dealer" in Los Angeles.
asserted
actress → tell → Angeles
The drug dealer was allegedly providing Panettiere (seen above in a selfie in 2020) with black-market prescription drugs — including oxy.
uncertain
dealer → provide → oxy
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is trying to trace the fatal pill back to the alleged drug dealer, the outlet reported.
asserted
outlet → try → dealer
Panettiere (seen above posing for a photo in May) was found unresponsive by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, in a Greenville, South Carolina, Airbnb on Aug. 16.
uncertain
Panettiere → see → Aug.
haydenpanettiere/Instagram
Brain had been in another room when Zach found the "Scream VI" star.
asserted
Zach → find → star
Robin Rayne for NY Post
Brian (seen above with the actress at a boxing match in 2018) told cops Panettiere was taking a “bag of medication” at the time of her death.
asserted
Panettiere → see → death
Last month, Brian (seen holding hands with the actress in Florida) broke his silence about Panettiere's death with a statement through his attorney.
asserted
Brian → see → attorney
/ SplashNews.com
Brian (seen arriving at court in 2020) was handcuffed by police following a bar altercation over the weekend.
asserted
Brian → see → weekend
GLH / BACKGRID
Brian (seen above with Panettiere in LA in 2019) was released from the scene and was not charged.
asserted
Brian → see → scene
