The cause of actress Hayden Panettiere’s death, which was confirmed on August 16, has reportedly been revealed nearly a month later. According to TMZ, authorities believe the 36-year-old actress may have taken a pill containing fentanyl on the morning of her death.
Panettiere reportedly purchased the pill while traveling from Los Angeles, California, to South Carolina. Authorities believe it was an oxycodone pill that had been contaminated with fentanyl and that the substance proved fatal.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the investigation and is reportedly working to reconstruct the connection between Panettiere and the person who allegedly supplied the drugs. Police are still awaiting toxicology results, according to TMZ.
Authorities are also reportedly examining prescription pills that were turned over to investigators when they arrived at the residence where Panettiere died. Investigators are using the 2018 death of rapper Mac Miller, who died after taking a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl, as a reference point. In that case, the DEA ultimately arrested and prosecuted the drug dealer involved.
Although the fentanyl-laced pill theory is reportedly the leading possibility, the official cause of death has not yet been released, and authorities have not determined who else may have been involved.
