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Hayden Panettiere’s team slammed the “gossip and speculation” that erupted after her shocking death and warned that the public still didn’t know the full story as investigators searched for answers.
Her representative condemned the speculation surrounding Panettiere’s final hours and accused outsiders of turning her death into fodder for gossip.
“Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about,” Panettiere’s rep said in a statement shared with US Weekly. “It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”
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Hayden Panettiere’s representative pushed back on gossip and speculation surrounding the actress’ shocking death. (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
As the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined the investigation into Panettiere’s death, her rep urged anyone with information to come forward.
“If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact law enforcement rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you do not fully understand.”
Hayden Panettiere died Aug. 16 after she was found unresponsive at an apartment in South Carolina. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Panettiere’s team also hinted that key details surrounding Panettiere’s death had yet to emerge.
“There is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served,” the statement concluded.
Fox News Digital reached out to Panettiere’s representative for comment.
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The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the Greenville Police Department in investigating Hayden Panettiere’s death. (Peter Carrette)
Panettiere died Aug. 16 at a South Carolina apartment. Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to Panettiere’s death, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. However, Panettiere’s death remains under investigation.
Brian Hickerson, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere in the years before her death at 36, was among those at the residence when she was found unresponsive, according to the police report obtained by Fox News Digital.
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Hayden Panettiere’s on-again-off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson was present at the apartment where the actress died. Hickerson’s brother confirmed the two were in a romantic relationship at the time of her death. (Gotpap/Bauer-Griffin)
His presence there marked a striking final chapter in a relationship that had previously led to domestic violence charges and his eventual conviction.
Hickerson and his brother had called 911 after finding Panettiere unresponsive, according to the report. Authorities spoke to both Hickerson and his brother, Zach, and executed a search warrant at the home.
The police report claimed Zach appeared “very emotional” while paramedics worked to revive Panettiere. Meanwhile, Hickerson did not become emotional until the “Ice Princess” star was declared deceased.
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Officers were also given a bag of medication Panettiere had allegedly been taking by Hickerson.
Hickerson reportedly traveled with the “Remember the Titans” actress from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex on Aug. 16, according to TMZ. The two broke up briefly in 2022, but rekindled their romance the following year. Hickerson’s brother confirmed to police Brian was in a relationship with the actress at the time of Panettiere’s death.
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