Claims circulating about Hayden Panettiere have prompted confusion, but the most important point is clear: there has been no verified public confirmation that the actress has died.
A report alleged that Panettiere, 36, was found at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, after traveling there with her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. However, such a serious claim requires confirmation from authorities, representatives, or reputable official sources before it can be treated as fact.
The same account claimed that more than six federal agents later visited the actress’ West Hollywood residence, citing a source who spoke to US Weekly.
According to that witness account, agents entered the building and had obtained a warrant to search the property, though details surrounding the alleged visit have not been independently verified.
The report further stated that Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were present during the incident described in the account.
Zach was also quoted as saying that Brian administered Narcan to the Heroes and Nashville star, a medication commonly used in suspected opioid overdose emergencies.
In comments attributed to him by TMZ, Zach said he wanted to “clarify” his role, saying he was calling 911 while Brian attempted to help Panettiere with the medication.
The account claimed the group had planned a casual day out, including lunch and indoor golfing, after Zach attended church.
Hayden Panettiere was found dead of a suspected overdose on August 16 at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina
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 was leaving the Sunday service, but didn’t hear back from them, he recalled.
Zach assumed the pair were sleeping 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 pull out couch 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 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.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the probe into the actress’s death.
Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said that the post-mortem had been completed and that no signs of trauma were found on the star’s body.
Further investigations will now take place to establish her cause of death, with chief deputy coroner Shelton England telling Our News Outlet that it was too early to discuss the drug overdose theory.
A Greenville police officer who responded to the residence was met by the brothers and then observed paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive 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 has claimed
Panettiere’s rep released a statement to Us Weekly which read: ‘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 representative for Hayden Panettiere (pictured in September 2024) has slammed rumors and online speculation in the wake of her death at last week
Panettiere was found ‘unresponsive’ at the Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina
‘The patient did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive,’ the officer noted. After attempting lifesaving measures, the emergency workers declared Panettiere dead at 2.31pm on Sunday.
Narcan was found on a mattress inside the South Carolina property.
Brian addressed the star’s death through his lawyers: ‘Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,’ said his attorney Sloan Ellis, from the Ellis Hinton law firm.
‘As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
‘Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.’
In the aftermath of the tragic death, there has been rampant speculation on the internet by some who knew the actress and others who did not at all.
Panettiere’s rep released a statement to Us Weekly which read: ‘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 grieving this tremendous loss.’
The representative did invite anyone with actual helpful information which would aid the ongoing investigation to come forward.
They continued: ‘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 concluded by saying that there are critical details regarding the star’s death that have not surfaced and that the late actress’ inner circle is doing what they can to aid in the investigation.
Panettiere’s rep concluded: ‘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.’
