Brian Hickerson, the boyfriend of the late Hayden Panettiere, has met with Drug Enforcement Administration officials as inquiries into the actress’s tragic passing at age 36 continue.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Hickerson, who has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere, met with DEA agents as part of a broader investigation. Authorities are also conducting interviews with other individuals to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death, with toxicology results still pending.
Details Surrounding Panettiere’s Death
Panettiere was discovered unresponsive in a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. Emergency responders were called to the scene, where she was later identified. An autopsy was performed the following day, but Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis stated that there were no signs of trauma evident on her body, leaving the investigation “active and ongoing.” It was reported that she was found in cardiac arrest.
While Hickerson has not been named a suspect, his attorney, Sloan Ellis, emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to unfold without interference, reiterating that law enforcement has publicly confirmed the absence of foul play.
Investigation Targeting Potential Drug Dealer
According to reports from TMZ, investigators are pursuing leads on an individual believed to have supplied drugs to Panettiere, which may have played a role in her death. Sources indicate that attention is being directed toward a potential drug dealer.
The ongoing investigation is crucial, as toxicology results could shed light on the circumstances leading to her passing. Panettiere’s death was confirmed on August 16, with her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, describing her as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought “immeasurable love and joy” to her loved ones.
She leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with whom she shared a relationship with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, from whom she separated in 2018.
