Hayden Panettiere death investigation takes new turn as Brian Hickerson questioned by federal officials

Toxicology results remain pending as authorities reportedly investigate a potential source of drugs

Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation has taken a new development after her on again, off again boyfriend Brian Hickerson met with federal law enforcement officials, according to a source close to the investigation who spoke to PEOPLE.

Hickerson reportedly met with the Drug Enforcement Administration as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death. The actress was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16 and was later pronounced dead at the age of 36.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office previously confirmed that an autopsy had been completed. Coroner Mike Ellis said Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest and had no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death. However, the investigation remains active, while toxicology results have not yet been released.

According to the latest reporting, investigators have also interviewed other people as they work to establish what happened before Panettiere died. A separate report from TMZ said authorities are looking into a potential drug dealer who allegedly supplied Panettiere with drugs. That allegation has not been established as a confirmed cause of death, and officials have not publicly identified such a person.

Hickerson has not been named as a suspect in Panettiere’s death and has not been charged with any crime connected to it. His attorney, Sloan Ellis, declined to comment when contacted on September 10.

In a previous statement, Ellis stressed that Panettiere’s death remained under investigation and asked that the process be allowed to continue. The statement also noted that police had publicly indicated there were no signs of foul play.

Hickerson and his brother Zach were present at the residence when emergency responders arrived, according to a police report. The report states that Hickerson showed officers a bag containing medication Panettiere had been taking. Earlier reports also said Zach discovered Panettiere unresponsive and that the brothers contacted emergency services.

The circumstances have attracted additional attention because of Hickerson’s complicated history with Panettiere. The pair first became romantically linked in 2018 and had an on again, off again relationship over the following years.

Their relationship previously became the subject of legal proceedings. Hickerson pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a partner in connection with incidents involving Panettiere. He received a sentence that included 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, domestic violence classes, restitution and a five year protective order. He ultimately served part of the jail sentence, while other charges were dropped.

Just three days before Panettiere’s death, on August 13, prosecutors reportedly opposed Hickerson’s petition to have those convictions expunged. Court records cited said prosecutors raised allegations of continued drug use. Hickerson and his attorney did not attend that hearing.