DEA Joins Investigation Into Hayden Panettiere’s Death

Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream films, died on August 16, 2026, at the age of 36 inside a residential complex in Greenville, South Carolina.

According to records from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, authorities received an emergency call at about 1:51 p.m. reporting that someone was in cardiac arrest. When emergency responders arrived, Panettiere was in cardiac arrest, and paramedics began advanced resuscitation efforts before she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

DEA Joins the Investigation

On August 19, ABC News and The Hollywood Reporter reported that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had joined the investigation into Panettiere’s death, according to sources cited by both outlets.

The published reports did not clarify what role the DEA would play in the investigation, and the agency has not publicly confirmed details of its involvement. TMZ quoted a DEA spokesperson as saying that the agency does not confirm or comment on active investigations.

Police Do Not Indicate Foul Play

Despite the DEA’s involvement in the investigation, Greenville police said the initial investigation showed no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

The coroner’s office also said that no signs of physical injuries believed to have contributed to the death were discovered. However, these findings do not represent a final determination of the cause of death, as the medical investigation remains ongoing.

Emergency Call Details

U.S. reports indicated that emergency call recordings or records included references to cardiac arrest and a possible overdose. Available records indicate that emergency crews were responding to an unresponsive woman and attempting to revive her.

However, a reference to an “overdose” in an emergency call does not mean that an overdose has been established as the cause of death. So far, authorities have not announced a final finding confirming that drugs caused or contributed to Panettiere’s death.

Who Was Present at the Scene?

According to a police report cited by The Hollywood Reporter, Brian Hickerson, whose relationship with Panettiere was described as on-and-off, was at the scene along with his brother when her death was reported.

These details remain based on what was included in the police report as cited by the publication. The available information does not identify any role they may have played in Panettiere’s death, nor does it establish any suspicion of foul play involving either of them.

Cause of Death Remains Under Investigation

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has not yet announced the final cause or manner of Panettiere’s death. According to reports citing the office, determining the final findings requires further investigation and testing, and the results of the full autopsy and toxicology testing could take up to three months.

Therefore, references to an overdose or cardiac arrest should be treated as part of the initial information and reports associated with the emergency call, rather than as a final cause of death.

Background on Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere was a familiar face in American television and film, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, as well as her appearances in the Scream film series.

Previous U.S. reports also covered her public discussions of personal struggles, including depression, substance use, the loss of custody of her daughter, and time spent in rehabilitation programs.

This background is relevant as the medical cause of death remains officially undetermined, and therefore none of that previous information can be considered evidence of the cause of her death.