Hayden Panettiere‘s rep is addressing rampant online speculation in the aftermath of the actress’ sudden 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,” reads a statement exclusively shared with Us. “It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”
Urging people to come forward with any details that might be useful during the ongoing investigation, the statement continues, “If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact law enforcement rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you do not fully understand.”
The statement concludes, “There is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served.”
News broke on August 16 of Panettiere’s death at age 36. According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, “a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest.” First responders were unable to resuscitate the unresponsive woman, who was eventually identified as Panettiere.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and the Greenville City Police Department confirmed they were conducting “a parallel investigation” into Panettiere’s death. An autopsy determined there were “no signs of trauma,” but Panettiere’s cause of death has yet to be revealed.
In the wake of the actress’ death, Billy Bush spoke to one of her neighbors who claimed she saw a car that was parked outside the property.
“I saw a car in her parking space. I had walked down to look at her apartment and I heard someone speaking in the apartment,” the woman said in a video shared Monday, August 24.
According to the neighbor, it appeared that changes had been made to Panettiere’s door camera.
“A couple of hours later, I went down to see if I could still hear voices, and I noticed their Ring camera had tried to be ripped from the wall and someone placed black electrical tape over the speaker and the camera,” she claimed. “I don’t have any idea what was going on.”
A source close to the family tells Us that the cameras were connected to the phone of Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
“That’s why they have black tape over them,” the source says. “It remains under investigation and nosey neighbors need to let law enforcement do their job.”
Hickerson, 36, was on the scene when Panettiere was found dead. The pair were first linked in 2018 and faced ups and downs throughout their tumultuous relationship, including Hickerson’s multiple domestic violence arrests.
Hickerson recently broke his silence on Panettiere’s death in a statement shared via his attorney.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” the statement to Us read. “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.”
