Federal drug agency joins investigation into actress death in South Carolina

The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who died on 16 August 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36. Panettiere was found unresponsive in her apartment and could not be revived. Preliminary autopsy results showed no signs of physical trauma, but the official cause of death is still unknown. The DEA usually gets involved when drugs may have played a role. Full toxicology results could take up to three months. Panettiere was best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville. Earlier in 2026, she published a memoir in which she spoke openly about her struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.