Overview
- The actress was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead after emergency responders performed CPR following a call about cardiac arrest on Sunday, Aug. 16.
- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is assisting Greenville police and the coroner as investigators examine whether drugs played a role in her death.
- Police reports show Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the apartment; officers were shown a bag of medications and responders reportedly found or used Narcan, the opioid antidote.
- Hickerson issued a statement through his attorney asking that the probe be allowed to proceed and noting officials reported no signs of foul play, while Panettiere’s mother has publicly criticized his presence at the scene.
- Officials say toxicology and further forensic testing can take weeks to months to complete, and investigators will use those results to reach a final determination while the family makes funeral plans.