Hayden Panettiere cause of death revealed a month after death

Hayden Panettiere passed away on August 16, 2026 at the age of 36

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Published September 14, 2026
Hayden Panettiere cause of death revealed a month after death

Hayden Panettiere took a pill that was allegedly laced with fentanyl on the day she died, according to a new report.

The beloved actress died at the age of 36 in Greenville, South Carolina, last month.

A source has revealed to TMZ that Panettiere allegedly took oxycodone laced with fentanyl. Just a few grains of the powerful opioid, which is 50 times stronger than heroine, can cause a fatal overdose.

The mom-of-one bought several black-market prescription drugs, including oxycodone, from a “long time drug dealer” she had in Los Angeles, the outlet reported.

The star and her on-off real estate agent boyfriend Brian Hickerson had flown from Los Angeles to South Carolina, where he is from, one day before she died.

Additionally, TMZ also reported that the actress took several drugs she purchased in LA on the flight. Authorities allegedly believe the pill she took the morning of her death was laced.

Brian administered Narcan, a medicine that quickly reverses an opioid overdose, to Hayden after finding her unresponsive.

Police are now trying to trace the fatal pill back to the person who allegedly sold it to her, according to sources speaking to the outlet.

At this time, no one has been arrested in connection with Hayden Panettiere's death.

The former child star was known for her roles on the hit NBC series Heroes and musical drama Nashville.

Detectives confirmed to the Daily Mail that they responded to an apartment block in Greenville after they received a 911 call from an “acquaintance” of Hayden, describing her as unresponsive.”

In the dispatch audio of the call, a female dispatcher described Hayden Panettiere as suffering a “cardiac arrest.”

Sadaf Naushad
Sadaf Naushad is a Journalist and Neurochemistry master's graduate with over four years of experience. Leveraging her scientific background, she specialises in celebrity wellness, mental health, and the psychology of lifestyle trends, bridging the gap between science and pop culture to provide expert insight into global icons' well-being.
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