New details have emerged in the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s untimely death.
Panettiere, 36, was found dead on August 16 of a suspected overdose at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had been traveling with on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, a resident of the state.
More than a half-dozen federal agents raided the actress’ West Hollywood home on Tuesday, a source said American weekly.
The witness said they were inside Panettiere’s building when officers entered, adding that they had obtained a warrant to search the premises.
Panettiere’s boyfriend and his brother, Zach, were both at the scene when the 36-year-old was pronounced dead.
Brian administered Narcan to the Heroes actress, Zach has now revealed in a statement to TMZ.
Zach, who said he wanted to “clarify my involvement in the situation,” said he called 911 while Brian was giving Panettiere the medication, which is typically administered to reverse an opioid overdose.
The trio planned to have lunch and play indoor golf after Zach went to church.
Hayden Panettiere was found dead of a suspected overdose at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina on August 16
Brian Hickerson administered Narcan to Panettiere, pictured together, after he and his brother Zach found her unconscious in an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina
He called and texted Panettiere and his brother as he left Sunday service but didn’t hear from them, he recalled.
Zach assumed the couple was asleep, so he drove back to the rental, but he didn’t have the door code to the unit, so he couldn’t get in.
“I knocked loudly, which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the sofa bed in the living room. “When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious,” he said.
“I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then performed CPR together with 911 on loudspeaker until the fire department and ambulance arrived.”
“At that moment we watched as they tried every possible measure to save her life,” he added.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the investigation into the actress’ death.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the autopsy was completed and no signs of trauma were found on the star’s body.
Further investigations will now take place to determine her cause of death, with Deputy Chief Coroner Shelton England telling the Daily Mail it was too early to discuss the drug overdose theory.
A Greenville police officer who responded to the home was met by the brothers and then saw paramedics performing CPR on an unconscious woman, according to a police report.
Zach Hickerson, pictured, called 911 as Brian administered the drug
Brian, pictured, and his brother jointly performed CPR on Panettiere after Narcan was administered, Zach claims
Panettiere’s rep released a statement to Us Weekly saying, “Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about.”
A rep for Hayden Panettiere (pictured in September 2024) has dismissed rumors and online speculation in the wake of her death last week
Panettiere was found “unresponsive” at the Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina
“The patient did not appear to have any apparent physical reasons for not responding,” the officer noted. After attempts at life-saving measures, emergency responders declared Panettiere dead at 2:31 PM on Sunday.
Narcan was found on a mattress at the South Carolina home.
Brian addressed the star’s death through his lawyers: “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to continue that investigation,” said his lawyer Sloan Ellis of law firm Ellis Hinton.
“As has been publicly reported, police have confirmed there are no signs of foul play.
“Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”
In the wake of the tragic death, speculation has been rife on the internet from some who knew the actress and others who did not.
Panettiere’s rep released a statement to Us Weekly saying, “Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about.
“It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively mourning this tremendous loss.”
The representative invited anyone who actually had useful information that could help the ongoing investigation to come forward.
They continued: “If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact police rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you don’t fully understand.”
The statement ended by saying that there are critical details about the star’s death that have not yet surfaced and that the late actress’ inner circle is doing what they can to assist in the investigation.
Panettiere’s rep concluded, “There is far more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to ensure the truth is exposed and justice is properly served.”
