Investigation into Death of Hayden Panettiere Continues as Boyfriend Arrested Following Bar Altercation

Actress Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36 after being found unconscious in a home in Greenville, South Carolina. According to police sources cited by TMZ, the primary hypothesis is that Panettiere consumed an oxycodone pill adulterated with fentanyl on the morning of her death. The DEA is currently investigating a suspected long term drug dealer in Los Angeles who allegedly supplied the actress with black market prescription medications. Emergency responders performed resuscitation efforts and her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, administered Narcan prior to their arrival, but she was declared dead at 14:32 hours. Official confirmation of the cause of death is pending toxicology results and an autopsy.

In a separate incident on Saturday evening, Brian Hickerson was arrested following an altercation at the Wild Wing Cafe bar in Greenville. Witnesses report that Hickerson became violent and threw a barstool after guests at a nearby table allegedly made negative comments regarding Panettiere's death. Video footage shows Hickerson being carried away from the crowd by another man. Both Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were arrested by police. While Brian Hickerson was released, Zach Hickerson spent the night in jail due to intoxication and continued verbal abuse of others. During his arrest, Brian Hickerson claimed that the police department had leaked information regarding the death of his girlfriend.