What Investigators Now Believe Caused Hayden Panettiere's Tragic Death: REPORT

Unbearably hard news today…

According to TMZ‘s law enforcement sources, Hayden Panettiere‘s cause of death comes down to just one pill.

The 36-year-old actress and animal rights activist died on August 16 at an Airbnb rental in South Carolina. She had been staying there with her boyfriend Brian Hickerson. His brother, Zach Hickerson, was there when they found her unconscious.

In a statement he gave to TMZ, Zach describes the moment they discovered Hayden:

“When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious. I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.”

Now we’re learning that investigators believe Hayden took one oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl the day she passed away.

Just one. So heartbreaking.

The outlet reports authorities are now looking into the person they believe to be Hayden’s “long time drug dealer”, who allegedly sold her multiple narcotics in Los Angeles the day before she flew to South Carolina.

There had been reports that Hayden was suffering from intense back pain prior to her death. Oxycodone is often prescribed when regular painkillers don’t offer enough relief, but when it’s purchased off the black market, there’s always danger it could be laced with something worse.

Hayden was beloved all across the globe. She raised awareness for many causes, notably both animal rights and postpartum depression. Her legacy will live on through the positive impact she left on society, her brilliant performances on screen, the love and compassion she showed others, and of course, through her daughter, Kaya.

May she rest in peace.

To learn more about postpartum depression, CLICK HERE or HERE.

To learn more about Hayden’s work for animal rights, CLICK HERE or HERE.

[Image via MEGA/WENN]