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Hayden Panettiere's Ex-Boyfriend Was Asleep as She Died, Police Investigate Possible Homicide

PUBLISHED Aug 20, 2026, 1:05 PM ET

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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who was found unresponsive at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16 . She was 36. First responders arrived at approximately 1:50 p.m. and found her in cardiac arrest; she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. . An autopsy completed on August 17 found no signs of trauma contributing to her death, and a cause has not been released . The Greenville Police Department is leading the investigation with the Greenville County Coroner's Office . A source familiar with the probe confirmed the DEA's involvement to NBC News, with multiple agents assigned to the case . The DEA typically investigates how a victim obtained drugs and whether laws were broken . Panettiere's boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was at the scene and was reportedly asleep when his brother discovered her . Hickerson had a past relationship with Panettiere marked by domestic violence allegations . Toxicology results could take up to three months .

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

· On May 2019, Hickerson was arrested on a domestic violence charge .
· On May 2020, Hickerson was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence .
· On April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring Panettiere .
· In May 2022, Panettiere spoke publicly about her struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction .
· In February 2023, Panettiere's brother, Jansen, died at age 28 .
· In May 2026, Panettiere released her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning" .
· On August 16, 2026, Panettiere was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at an apartment .
· On August 17, 2026, an autopsy was completed, showing no signs of trauma .
· On August 18, 2026, Panettiere's body was released to her family .
· On August 19, 2026, the DEA joined the investigation, and police performed a welfare check .
Present Events
· On August 20, 2026, multiple agencies continue to investigate the circumstances of her death .
· On August 20, 2026, the official cause and manner of death remain pending .
· On August 20, 2026, Hickerson has not been accused of wrongdoing in her death .
Future Expectations
· Toxicology results are expected in up to three months .
· The official cause and manner of death will be determined .
· The DEA investigation will likely focus on how drugs were obtained .
· Legal proceedings against Hickerson could potentially be impacted .

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Renewed focus on opioid addiction and celebrity mental health.
Long-term US impact: Potential scrutiny of domestic violence and substance abuse.
Affected groups: Fans of the actress and advocates for domestic violence awareness.
Reader priority: Follow official statements from law enforcement for accurate updates.