"Suffered from 'really severe' health issues": The difficult months leading up to Hayden Panettiere's death
An opioid antagonist was discovered in the apartment of the 36-year-old star, who was seen earlier this year using crutches at LAX alongside her former partner. The investigation into her death is ongoing.
Hayden Panettiere suffered from ‘really severe’ health issues in the months leading up to her tragic death, according to Eric Orlana, her close friend and hair stylist. The star of "Heroes" and "Nashville" was found lifeless in her apartment just days before her 37th birthday.
"I know she suffered from back problems earlier this year," Orlana told Page Six, noting that at one point, she struggled to move around and found it difficult to move her legs.
Another source revealed that Panettiere faced challenges beyond physical pain: "At the beginning of the year, she did look a little tired sometimes. But she was a night owl and had a lot on her mind." The source added that Panettiere struggled with anxiety, a topic she addressed in her memoir, and occasionally took medication to cope, which sometimes affected her speech.
Reports indicate that the actress and her on-again, off-again partner, real estate agent Brian Hickerson, flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina just one day before her body was discovered. While they were photographed together at LAX in March with Panettiere using crutches, friends had noted at the time that she appeared to be recovering.
On Sunday, paramedics were called to an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation, but the star was pronounced dead after approximately 40 minutes. Police sources confirmed that naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, was found at the scene. An autopsy report found no signs of trauma, but the investigation remains active.
