Law enforcement sources have told TMZ that Hayden Panettiere allegedly took a fatal pill laced with fentanyl on the day she died. The actress, best known for her role in Heroes, passed away at the age of 36 on Sunday, August 16, with the news confirmed by her family the following day.
Alleged black-market drugs
According to TMZ, Hayden was allegedly provided with several black-market prescription drugs, including oxycodone, by a drug dealer in Los Angeles. She is believed to have taken several drugs she had purchased during her flight from LA to South Carolina, and is thought to have taken the oxycodone on the morning of her death.
The news outlet reported that the oxycodone was allegedly laced with fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin. With toxicology reports still pending, TMZ reported that law enforcement's working theory is that it was the suspected fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill that killed Hayden.
Autopsy and police investigation
Hayden's autopsy showed 'no signs of trauma' at the time of her death, the Coroner's office confirmed. A police report later revealed that both her ex Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the scene at the time of her death.
It's been confirmed by a preliminary police investigation that there were no signs of 'foul play or suspicious circumstances' when they arrived at her home after a 911 emergency call was placed.
Family statement and career
A representative confirmed the tragic news, saying her family would remember her as an 'incredible light' who brought 'immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her'. The statement from her father Skip read: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen."
Her father also asked that her family be given privacy as they 'take time to process this unimaginable loss'. Hayden rose to fame in the world of soap operas, appearing in both One Life to Live and Guiding Light in the 1990s. She was soon seen in the hit films Dinosaur and Remember the Titans.
The actress is best known for playing the role of Claire Bennet in the superhero series Heroes between 2006 to 2010. Additionally, she played Kirby Reed in Scream and Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series Nashville. The latter project saw her nominated for two Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actress. On top of this she appeared in the video games Kingdom Hearts and Until Dawn.
