Hayden Panettiere was reportedly in contact with an alleged drug dealer for years and they exchanged texts leading up to the week before she died.
TMZ reported on Tuesday, September 15, that Panettiere and the alleged drug dealer exchanged “a slew of messages about drugs,” per a source involved with the investigation into her death. The messages have become a main focus of the DEA’s investigation.
News of the alleged text messages comes one day after TMZ reported that law enforcement is theorizing that Panettiere took a pill that was laced with fentanyl, per sources connected to the case. The sources claimed that the Nashville actress had a drug dealer in Los Angeles who was allegedly providing her with black-market prescription drugs before her death. The DEA is reportedly trying to trace the pill taken by Panettiere back to the alleged dealer. Us should note the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, which is handling Panettiere’s case, stated on Monday, September 14, that the official cause and manner of her death remains under investigation pending toxicology results.
A rep for Panettiere previously told Us: “The investigation is still ongoing. Law enforcement has not disclosed who they are targeting, but I am told the case is complex. We hope to have more answers soon.”
Panettiere died on August 16 while in South Carolina with on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson. She was 36.
Emergency services responded to a 911 call “regarding a reported cardiac arrest,” per the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. First responders were unable to resuscitate the woman found at the scene, who was later identified as Panettiere. Dispatch audio obtained by People at the time referenced an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death.
Last month, Panettiere’s rep slammed the speculation surrounding the Heroes star’s death.
“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,” her rep shared in a statement. “It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”
A preliminary autopsy determined there were “no signs of trauma” when Panettiere died but the I Love You, Beth Cooper alum’s official cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Hickerson, 36, was at the scene when Panettiere was found dead and provided authorities with a bag containing medication that she had been taking.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” read a statement to Us from Hickerson’s lawyer. “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.”
