Days after Hayden Panettiere's death at 36, federal law enforcement is reportedly getting involved in the case.
As first reported by TMZ on Aug. 19, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is joining the multi-agency
investigation into the circumstances of the "Heroes" star's Aug. 16 death inside a South Carolina apartment complex . ABC News also reported the development, citing "sources familiar with the matter."
USA TODAY has reached out to the DEA for more information.
The agency, which operates under the U.S. Department of Justice, enforces the country's controlled substance laws and regulations. The other investigating agencies are the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner's Office.
Panettiere's cause of death has not been released by the coroner's office. The results of the autopsy and toxicology reports could take up to three months.
At 1:58 p.m. on Aug. 16, a police officer arrived at the Judson Mill Lofts and "observed multiple EMS and firemen performing CPR on a white female patient who appeared to be unresponsive," according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY.
"EMS attempted to perform life saving methods for an extended amount of time before they called a time of death" at 2:31 p.m., the officer wrote.
Who called 911 for Hayden Panettiere?
Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, called 911, according to the police report.
The responding officer reported first speaking with Zach Hickerson, who told the police officer that Panettiere "was his brother's girlfriend." Later, Brian Hickerson showed police a "bag of medication" the actress was allegedly taking at the time.
Other details in the report were redacted.
Zach Hickerson was "very emotional" as emergency medical personnel attempted to save Panettiere, while Brian "did not become emotional" until medics declared the actress dead, the officer alleged.
Panettiere's relationship with Brian Hickerson, which began in 2018, involved him being arrested multiple times for alleged domestic violence, which Panettiere described in her memoir. After his 2020 arrest, Brian Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring Panettiere.
In recent months, the pair fueled speculation of a reconciliation after paparazzi photographed them together.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DEA reportedly joins investigation into Hayden Panettiere's death
