The investigation surrounding Hayden Panettiere has expanded, with federal agents searching the actress’ West Hollywood home as authorities continue working to determine what happened at a South Carolina Airbnb on August 16.
The “Scream” star, 36, was found unresponsive at a rental property in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had traveled with her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. She was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
More than six federal agents entered Panettiere’s West Hollywood residence on Tuesday after obtaining a search warrant, a witness told Us Weekly.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has also joined the investigation, while authorities in South Carolina await additional testing following the “Nashville” star’s post-mortem examination.
Hayden Panettiere’s Final Hours Included Narcan and CPR Efforts
Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were both at the Airbnb when emergency crews arrived.
Zach has now provided a detailed account to TMZ of the efforts to save Panettiere after she was found unconscious.
According to Zach, the three had planned to go to lunch and indoor golfing after he attended church that Sunday. When calls and text messages to Panettiere and Brian went unanswered, Zach assumed the pair were sleeping and returned to the rental.
He did not have the entry code, so he began knocking.
“I knocked loudly which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the pull out couch bed in the living room,” Zach said. “When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious.”
Zach said he immediately contacted emergency services while Brian administered Narcan, a medication commonly used to reverse an opioid overdose.
“I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan,” Zach said. “We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived.”
“At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life,” he added.
A police report stated that an officer who responded to the residence encountered the brothers and saw paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive woman.
“The patient did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive,” the officer wrote.
Narcan was later found on a mattress inside the rental property.
DEA Joins Investigation as Officials Await Cause
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the “Heroes” star’s post-mortem examination has been completed and authorities found no signs of trauma.
Chief deputy coroner Shelton England told the Daily Mail that investigators are not yet prepared to confirm speculation surrounding a possible overdose.
Further testing is expected to help determine Panettiere’s official cause.
Brian has addressed the ongoing investigation through his attorney, Sloan Ellis of Ellis Hinton law firm.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Ellis said.
“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play,” the statement continued. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Rep Warns Against ‘Gossip and Speculation’
Panettiere’s representative has also spoken out as theories surrounding the case spread online.
“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,” the representative told Us Weekly.
“It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”
The representative encouraged anyone who actually possesses information relevant to the investigation to contact authorities instead of discussing claims online.
“If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact law enforcement rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you do not fully understand,” the statement said.
Panettiere’s representative also indicated investigators and those closest to the actress may know information that has not yet become public.
“There is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served,” the representative said.
Authorities have not yet announced Panettiere’s official cause as the investigation continues.
