Federal Agents Search Hayden Panettiere’s West Hollywood Residence

Witnesses at the West Hollywood building confirmed the presence of federal agents who arrived with a warrant to search the actress’s residence. While the specific agency involved remains unconfirmed, reports indicate the Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the broader investigation. The execution of a search warrant serves to secure potential evidence and does not inherently imply that any individual has committed a crime.

Panettiere was discovered unresponsive on August 16 at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, while staying with her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson. Zach Hickerson stated that he and Brian attempted to wake the actress for lunch before discovering her condition. Emergency responders arrived to find the men administering CPR, with reports noting that Narcan was used at the scene. Despite these efforts, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.

While Greenville authorities confirmed that a post-mortem examination showed no signs of physical trauma, the official cause and manner of death remain pending. Brian Hickerson, who has a documented history of domestic violence and substance-related issues, has faced scrutiny following the event, though no criminal charges have been filed. Panettiere’s representatives have publicly denounced the wave of online speculation, characterizing the rumors as disrespectful to her memory while confirming that her inner circle is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.