Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia found at scene of Hayden Panettiere's death

Newly released records show fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were found among Panettiere's belongings at a Greenville, SC Airbnb where she died on 16 August.

Coroner's records detail drugs found in Greenville apartment where actress died

Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were discovered among the personal belongings of actress Hayden Panettiere at the Greenville apartment where she was found unresponsive on 16 August, according to records released by the Greenville County Coroner's Office, as reported by greenvilleonline.com.

A senior deputy found a small, clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance inside a grey sunglasses case in a suitcase belonging to Panettiere. A cut straw with residue was also recovered from a small blue makeup bag inside a black backpack or purse.

On the kitchen table, investigators found a medication bottle labelled Adderall. Inside were blue tablets that appeared to be pressed pills along with a cut straw. A detective later confirmed that the pills and straws tested positive for fentanyl. Multiple prescription bottles were also found on the same table.

A small teal lunchbox containing glass vials, prefilled syringes, and empty syringes was recovered from inside the refrigerator, the report states.

Panettiere, 36, had flown from Los Angeles to Greenville the day before her death and was staying at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment through an Airbnb rental. A 911 call was received at approximately 1:51 p.m. on 16 August, following a report of cardiac arrest. EMS and firefighters performed CPR for approximately 30 minutes but were unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. Upon arrival, first responders noted a purple discoloration.

An autopsy completed the following day found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. On 22 September, the coroner's office confirmed that Panettiere died from a mixture of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. The manner of death was ruled an accident. Authorities have stated there were no indications of foul play.

The Greenville Police Department, Greenville County Coroner's Office, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have jointly been investigating the death. In a statement issued after the coroner's report was published, police said the investigation remains active.

"The Coroner's Office report represents one component of the ongoing investigation," the department said. "Our detectives will continue to follow leads and gather information as we work toward resolving this case." Police added that no additional details are being released at this time.

The report noted that Panettiere had been in a drug rehabilitation facility in Malibu, California, until a few weeks before her death. A redacted name, assumed to be her boyfriend Brian Hickerson, told investigators he was unaware of her using any illegal substances on the day of her death or the day prior, but stated she was "very good at hiding them."

A responding officer at the apartment encountered Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson. According to a redacted police incident report released on 19 August, Brian Hickerson and Panettiere were dating at the time. Brian showed the officer a "bag of medicine" Panettiere had been taking, though the specific medications were redacted.

A courtesy officer at the apartment complex told police that surveillance footage captured Panettiere and the Hickerson brothers "coming and going" before her death.

Zach Hickerson later provided a statement to TMZ describing the events leading up to the 911 call. He said that when they attempted to wake Panettiere for lunch, he found her unconscious and immediately called emergency services. "Brian gave her Narcan," Hickerson said, adding that they "jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived."

Hickerson said he had left church that morning, texted Brian and Panettiere, assumed they had fallen back asleep when he received no reply, and drove to the Airbnb when he still could not reach them. He knew the building code but not the Airbnb code and knocked loudly until Brian woke up.

"There are a lot of assumptions, speculations, and accusations currently swirling," Hickerson told TMZ. "The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation, and that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth."

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to relieve pain. Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax, is prescribed to treat anxiety. Methocarbamol addresses discomfort caused by acute muscle or bone conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic, while Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)