New questions are emerging about the death of actress Hayden Panettiere after medication commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses was reportedly discovered inside the South Carolina home where she died.

According to TMZ, sources in Greenville confirmed that Narcan was found inside the residence. The nasal device used to give the medication was reportedly discovered on a mattress.

Narcan, also known by the generic name naloxone, is an emergency medication that can quickly reverse the effects of opioids, including potentially deadly breathing problems caused by an overdose.

However, it remains unclear who may have received the Narcan.

TMZ reported that first responders mentioned an “overdose” and CPR while communicating with dispatchers. The outlet also reported that two ambulances responded to the residence, raising questions about whether another person may have needed medical attention.

Despite those details, authorities have not announced that Panettiere died from an overdose. An official cause and manner of death have not yet been released.

Epinephrine was also reportedly used during the emergency response. The medication, also known as adrenaline, is commonly given during cardiac arrest to help restart circulation.

Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16. She was 36. Neither ambulance reportedly transported anyone to a hospital.

Brian Hickerson Had Reportedly Been Staying at the Home

Hickerson, had been staying at the South Carolina residence where she was found unresponsive.

According to Page Six, Hickerson is originally from South Carolina, where his family still lives. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in real estate development and acting. His limited acting credits include an appearance in the 2017 thriller M.F.A.

Hickerson and Panettiere were first romantically linked in 2018 after they were photographed together at a Los Angeles screening. Their relationship later received widespread attention because of several domestic violence cases.

In May 2019, Hickerson was arrested following an alleged altercation with Panettiere. He was charged with felony domestic violence and ordered to stay away from her, although the case was later dismissed.

He was arrested again in Wyoming in February 2020 following another alleged dispute. In July of that year, Panettiere obtained a restraining order against Hickerson and publicly spoke about the alleged abuse.

Hickerson was later charged in Los Angeles in connection with several alleged incidents involving Panettiere. In April 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend as part of a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 45 days in county jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes. The remaining charges were dismissed.

Panettiere and Hickerson later reconnected and continued to have an on-and-off relationship.

Several months before Panettiere’s death, Hickerson spoke to TMZ about their complicated history. In May 2026, he praised the actress but acknowledged that she might be better off without him and said he wanted to see her flourish.

TMZ said it had been unable to reach Hickerson following Panettiere’s death.

There has been no public indication that Hickerson was involved in her death.

Hayden Panettiere Became a Star at a Young Age

Panettiere spent most of her life in the entertainment industry.

Born Aug. 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, she began appearing in commercials as a young child before moving into television and movies.

One of her early major roles was as Lizzie Spaulding on the daytime soap opera Guiding Light. She later played Sheryl Yoast in the popular 2000 football movie Remember the Titans.

Panettiere became a household name in 2006 when she began playing cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s Heroes. Her character had the ability to heal from serious injuries, and the show’s “Save the cheerleader, save the world” storyline became one of its most recognizable elements.

She later found another major television role as country singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville. Panettiere starred on the series from 2012 to 2018 and received Golden Globe nominations for her performance.

Her movie credits also included Racing Stripes, I Love You, Beth Cooper and the Scream franchise. She returned as fan-favorite character Kirby Reed in Scream VI in 2023, more than a decade after first playing Kirby in Scream 4.

Panettiere Had Spoken About Addiction

In the years before her death, Panettiere was open about personal struggles, including addiction and mental health challenges.

She previously discussed receiving treatment and working toward sobriety after struggling with alcohol and opioids. She also spoke publicly about postpartum depression following the 2014 birth of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiancé and professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Because Panettiere had previously discussed addiction, the discovery of Narcan at the scene is likely to draw attention. However, its presence alone does not establish what caused her death or prove that the medication was administered to her.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy following Panettiere’s death. Toxicology testing and other investigative findings could provide more information about what happened.

Until officials release those results, the exact circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s sudden death remain under investigation.