Hayden Panettiere death rumours drew a public rebuke Tuesday from the actor’s representative, who called speculation surrounding her August 16 death in South Carolina disrespectful.
The representative told Us Weekly that people who were not close to Panettiere were spreading gossip about circumstances they knew little about. The statement added that people close to the actor were cooperating with the continuing investigation.
Panettiere, 36, was found in cardiac arrest at her Greenville, South Carolina, apartment on August 16, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
The Greenville Police Department said its preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Authorities have not yet announced a cause of death.
Read: Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36, Cause Under Investigation
Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement released last week and described her as a loving presence in the lives of those who knew her.
Police also said Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, and his brother Zach Hickerson were at the apartment when she died.
Hickerson’s lawyer, Sloan Ellis, later urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work and noted that police had reported no evidence of foul play.
The media speculated about a possible overdose. However, authorities have not confirmed that as the cause of death.
