A 911 call released by authorities indicates that Zach Hickerson, the brother of Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson, attempted CPR on the actress before she was pronounced dead at her home. Panettiere, 36, was found unconscious at her residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on the afternoon of Aug. 16.
The 911 call and police reports obtained by CBS News show that Zach and Brian Hickerson discovered Panettiere after Zach arrived at the home following a church service. Despite what the Greenville County Coroner’s Office described as "advanced cardiac life support measures," Panettiere was declared dead at the scene. An autopsy later ruled the death accidental, citing the "toxic effects" of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine.
During the emergency call, Zach Hickerson reported that Panettiere did not appear to be breathing. The operator provided instructions for chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after Hickerson stated he did not know if a defibrillator was available in the building. Zach Hickerson also told TMZ that Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, in an attempt to revive her.
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes," "Nashville," and "Remember the Titans," had previously disclosed her history with substance use. In a 2022 interview with People magazine, she stated she began using opioids and alcohol as a teenager. She also detailed her experiences with addiction and recovery in her 2026 memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning." In a May interview with CBS News, she told Gayle King that she shared her story to help others feel comfortable living their "truth" despite being "imperfect."
For the public, this report details the sequence of emergency response measures—including the use of Narcan and bystander CPR—that are standard protocols in suspected overdose events. The scale of the impact is reflected in the high-profile nature of the case, involving a nationally recognized actress whose work spanned two decades. A person in a similar emergency situation would notice that 911 operators are trained to provide step-by-step instructions for life-saving measures like chest compressions when professional medical help is still en route.
The autopsy results and the presence of fentanyl may influence local health policy or law enforcement investigations in Greenville, South Carolina, regarding the distribution of controlled substances. The case also brings attention to the role of Narcan as an immediate intervention tool for civilians. While the medical examiner has finalized the cause and manner of death as accidental, the report does not specify further legal actions or pending court dates at this time.