Actress Hayden Panettiere may have died after taking a single pill believed to contain fentanyl as federal investigators focus on a suspected drug supplier, according to new reports.
The 36-year-old “Heroes” and “Nashville” star was found unresponsive at a temporary residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16.
First responders found Panettiere in cardiac arrest and attempted to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her death occurred five days before what would have been her 37th birthday.
Multiple law enforcement sources told TMZ that investigators believe Panettiere took one pill on the morning she died.
The pill was believed to be oxycodone contaminated with fentanyl, the New York Post reported.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid estimated to be approximately 50 times more powerful than heroin. Even small amounts can cause a fatal overdose.
Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death remain pending while authorities await toxicology results.
An autopsy conducted after her death found no signs of trauma that contributed to the actress’ death, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Investigators reportedly believe Panettiere met with an alleged longtime drug dealer in Los Angeles before traveling to South Carolina.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has become involved in the investigation in both California and South Carolina as authorities attempt to determine where the suspected pill originated.
Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, traveled with her from Los Angeles and was staying at the South Carolina residence.
Hickerson has met with DEA officials but has not been accused or charged in connection with Panettiere’s death.
Authorities have not disclosed what Hickerson told investigators.
A police report indicated that Hickerson showed officers a bag containing medication that Panettiere had brought with her.
The names of the medications were redacted, though the document appeared to identify nine separate drugs.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether any of those medications contributed to her death.
Panettiere had discussed her battles with alcohol and drug addiction before her death, including in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
She previously said someone on her professional team began giving her what she described as “happy pills” before red-carpet appearances when she was 15.
Panettiere said she initially did not understand the risks or recognize how the pills could contribute to addiction.
The former child actress later described her use of drugs and alcohol as increasingly difficult to control.
She said her drinking intensified while she experienced postpartum depression following the 2014 birth of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Panettiere was eventually hospitalized with jaundice and deteriorating liver function.
She wrote that a doctor warned continued drinking could kill her within five years.
The actress’ death has drawn comparisons to other federal investigations involving drugs supplied to celebrities, including the criminal cases that followed actor Matthew Perry’s death.
No suspected supplier has been publicly identified or charged in Panettiere’s case.
Investigators are continuing to examine her final movements, the medications at the residence and the suspected source of the pill while awaiting definitive toxicology findings.
