{"id":72541,"date":"2026-09-11T02:43:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/11\/hayden-panettiere-death-investigation-dea-meets-with-boyfriend\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T02:43:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:43:31","slug":"hayden-panettiere-death-investigation-dea-meets-with-boyfriend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/11\/hayden-panettiere-death-investigation-dea-meets-with-boyfriend\/","title":{"rendered":"Hayden Panettiere Death Investigation: DEA Meets With Boyfriend"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Hayden Panettiere<\/a>‘s boyfriend Brian Hickerson<\/strong> has met with the Drug Enforcement Administration as investigators continue looking into the actress’ sudden death at 36.<\/p>\n

A source close to the investigation tells People<\/em><\/a> that Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, met with DEA officials and that authorities have also \u201cinterviewed others\u201d as they work to determine what happened.<\/p>\n

Toxicology results have not yet come back, according to the source.<\/p>\n

Investigators Are Looking Into Panettiere’s Death<\/h3>\n

Panettiere was found dead at a residence in Greenville, S.C., on Sunday, Aug. 16, after first responders were called about an \u201cunresponsive female.\u201d The Nashville actress was later identified as the woman at the residence.<\/p>\n

Read More:<\/em>\u00a0<\/b>Hayden Panettiere’s Mom Wanted Brian Hickerson Banned From Funeral<\/a><\/p>\n

An autopsy was completed the following day. Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis said Panettiere had no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death and that the investigation remained \u201cactive and ongoing.\u201d She was found in \u201ccardiac arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hickerson has not been named a suspect. His attorney, Sloan Ellis, declined to comment on Thursday (Sept. 10).<\/p>\n

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Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images<\/figcaption>Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

In a statement, Ellis said it was important to allow the investigation to continue<\/a> and noted that police had publicly confirmed there were no signs of foul play.<\/p>\n

DEA Reportedly Searching for Potential Drug Dealer<\/h3>\n

According to TMZ<\/em><\/a>, investigators are searching for a person who allegedly sold Panettiere drugs that might have contributed to her death.<\/p>\n

One source told the outlet that authorities are \u201czeroing in on a potential drug dealer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Hayden Panettiere\u2019s Final Hours: Boyfriend\u2019s Brother Reveals What Happened<\/a><\/p>\n

The investigation remains ongoing, and toxicology results could provide additional information about what happened.<\/p>\n

Panettiere’s death was announced Aug. 16 in a statement from her family<\/a>. Her father, Alan \u201cSkip\u201d Panettiere, described her as \u201can incredible light and a force of nature\u201d who brought \u201cimmeasurable love and joy\u201d to those around her.<\/p>\n

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Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya<\/strong>, whom she shared with ex-fianc\u00e9 Wladimir Klitschko<\/strong>. The former couple split in 2018.<\/p>\n

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Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2026<\/h2>\n
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So far in 2026, country fans have mourned the deaths of country legends and other large-looming figures of pop culture. Keep reading to remember the singers, musicians, actors and other notable figures we’ve lost this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n