Hayden Panettiere’s Death Probe Adds Drug Enforcement Agency

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has joined the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, according to multiple media reports. The Greenville City Police Department, who are leading the investigation, remains in charge of the case. TMZ also reported that the DEA is assisting in parallel death investigations into Panettiere's passing, as both the Greenville police department and the coroner's office are currently investigating the matter.

Officials from the DEA, Greenville police department, and Panettiere did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The incident occurred at a private residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where Panettiere was pronounced dead. An officer responded to an EMS assist request for an unresponsive individual, who was with Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zack at the time of her passing.

It was unclear if Panettiere had been using drugs or alcohol when she died, but her boyfriend reportedly showed them a bag of medication she had been taking. The coroner's office stated that Panettiere's cause and manner of death "remain pending [amid] further investigation and the completion of additional studies." Panettiere, a renowned actress known for her roles in "Heroes," "Nashville," the "Scream" franchise, and "Remember the Titans," was only 36 years old.

Her father, Skip Panettiere, shared the news of her death on Sunday night in a statement to media, expressing profound sadness over her passing.