DEA joins Hayden Panettiere death probe as representative vows ‘justice will be served’

The investigation into the sudden death of Hollywood actress Hayden Panettiere has taken a new turn after the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined the probe, with her representative expressing hope that “justice will be served.”

Panettiere, 36, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, Ice Princess and the Scream franchise, died on Sunday after she was found unresponsive at a private residence in Greenville, South Carolina.

Her representative, in a statement issued on Thursday, said no further details could be released as authorities continue their investigation.

“There’s nothing to be shared at this time as the investigation is ongoing but we are hopeful that justice will be served,” the representative said.

The DEA joined the investigation on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter, assisting the Greenville City Police Department, which remains the lead agency handling the case.

The development came a day after police released a report detailing the circumstances surrounding the actress’s death.

According to the police report, officers arrived at a residence on Easley Bridge Road in Greenville after receiving a call about an unresponsive individual.

Panettiere was reportedly with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zack Hickerson, when she died.

Police said it remains unknown whether the actress had consumed drugs or alcohol before her death. The report, however, noted that Brian Hickerson showed officers a bag containing medication Panettiere had been taking.

The coroner’s office has said the official cause and manner of Panettiere’s death remain pending, with further investigations and additional medical examinations still ongoing.

Before her death, Panettiere had spoken openly about personal struggles throughout her life, including addiction, recovery, trauma, postpartum depression and domestic abuse.

In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released earlier this year, the actress shared details about her experiences behind the public image that followed her from childhood stardom to adulthood.

Panettiere’s death has sparked mourning across Hollywood, with colleagues and fans remembering her long career in film and television.

She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.