Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for her role in the television series “Heroes”, has died at the age of 36, reportedly following an incident involving oxycodone laced with the powerful opioid fentanyl.
The tragic event occurred in South Carolina on August 16, and authorities are continuing to piece together the circumstances of her death.
Sources within law enforcement revealed to TMZ that Panettiere had a long-time drug dealer based in Los Angeles who supplied her with various black-market prescription medications. Investigators are looking into the details of this relationship as they attempt to trace the fatal oxycodone pill back to the supplier.
It is believed that she had taken multiple medications with her when she flew from California just before her untimely death.
Toxicology results are still pending, but preliminary findings indicate that the actress suffered a cardiac arrest upon emergency responders’ arrival at the apartment where she was staying with her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
According to a statement from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Panettiere exhibited no signs of trauma, and thus far, the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene after a call suggested an overdose had occurred. Dispatch audio obtained by TMZ captured emergency officials discussing an overdose situation, indicating that CPR efforts were underway.
Despite the rapid response, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2.32pm after resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. The actress leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, from her previous relationship with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
