Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson meets with DEA amid ongoing probe
Hayden Panettiere‘s boyfriend Brian Hickerson spoke with the DEA on Thursday, September 10, as federal authorities closed in on identifying a potential d*** dealer who may have supplied substances to the actress before her death in August.
The Nashville star was discovered unresponsive on August 16 at a Greenville, South Carolina rental property where she and Brian had been staying, just days before her 37th birthday.
Federal and local authorities have been working since August to understand the circumstances of Hayden’s death. One law enforcement source told TMZ that authorities were “zeroing in on a potential drug dealer.”
Brian’s role remains unclear
While Brian agreed to speak with the DEA, his attorney declined to elaborate on the content of those conversations or his legal standing.
The prior statement from his counsel stated, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”
“Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time,” it further stated.
Brian has not been named as a suspect and no charges have been filed against him.
The circumstances around her death
Things came to light when Brian’s brother, Zach, went looking for the couple after being unable to reach them by phone. According to Zach’s statements to TMZ, he had tried calling ahead of lunch plans and, getting no answer, drove to the airbnb where they were staying.
Zach knocked on the door loudly enough to wake Brian, who had been napping on a pullout couch in the living room with Hayden. When the door opened, Zach found his brother’s girlfriend unresponsive.
Emergency responders arrived at approximately 1:50 p.m., finding Hayden in cardiac arrest. Firefighters and paramedics administered CPR while attempting to revive her, but their efforts ultimately failed.
Narcan at the scene
One detail that has fueled speculation about Panettiere’s cause of death is the presence of Narcan, the opioid-reversal medication, at the property. Law enforcement records added that Narcan was administered at the scene and Brian reportedly provided authorities with a bag of medication Hayden had been taking at the time of her death.
Narcan itself does not show signs of any foul play, as the medication is easily available in several households.
Zach also added that the drug was given to Hayden following the scare, stating, “I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived.”
Lesley Vogel’s statements
Hayden’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, became the most vocal critic of Brian following her daughter’s death.
Speaking to NBC News just two days after Hayden’s passing, Lesley stated: “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson.”
She added further in more media outlets that Brian had “enabled” her daughter’s substance abuse on multiple occasions and that the family had been trying to separate them.
Lesley alleged that Brian had drained Hayden financially, emotionally and physically during their on-and-off relationship. She also attacked Brian for his claims that she was next to him unresponsive, telling Daily Mail, “I don’t know how you can take a nap near someone who’s dying and not realize something’s wrong. How do you do that?”