Hayden Panettiere death probe focusing on illegal pills from L.A. dealer
Federal investigators are probing the death of actor Hayden Panettiere, focusing on whether she obtained counterfeit, fentanyl-laced oxycodone from a Los Angeles dealer. The investigation follows similar high-profile cases involving drug-related deaths in Hollywood.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing public health crisis regarding counterfeit prescription pills and the aggressive federal response to drug-related celebrity deaths.
Federal authorities probing the death of Hayden Panettiere are focusing their investigation in Los Angeles and looking into whether the actor procured nonprescription pills from an area dealer. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local investigators have questioned several people about the circumstances of her Aug. 16 death, focusing on her taking what was described as counterfeit oxycodone before her demise inside a Greenville, S.C., apartment, according to sources familiar with the probe. Such counterfeit pills have repeatedly been found laced with fentanyl, which can be deadly when taken in small amounts. The probe echoes investigations into the deaths of actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller, both of which resulted in criminal charges for their respective drug suppliers.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in