The Greenville Police Department announced Wednesday that the investigation into the death of actor Hayden Panettiere has concluded, with the final ruling that she died from an accidental drug overdose. The 36-year-old was found unresponsive at a residence where she had been staying in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16.
The official ruling follows a determination by the Greenville County Medical Examiner and a subsequent investigation involving the Greenville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Authorities previously reported that a preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the death had shown no evidence of foul play or suspicious activity.
According to a report from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, an autopsy found no signs of trauma. Toxicology results indicated the presence of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine in her system. The coroner concluded that the toxic effects of these substances combined were the cause of death.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the Greenville apartment on the afternoon of August 16 after receiving a report of an unresponsive person. An incident report noted that two witnesses, Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson, were at the scene and placed the 911 call. Emergency medical personnel performed "advanced cardiac life support measures" for a significant duration before Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
The scale of this event is primarily felt by the Panettiere and Klitschko families, but it also highlights the continued presence of fentanyl in accidental overdose cases investigated by local and federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration. For the family, the determination of an accidental manner of death closes the possibility of criminal charges related to foul play, a concern that police addressed early in the investigation. The report details the specific timeline of the emergency response, noting the exact time of death at 2:31 p.m. and the identities of those present during the initial 911 call.
Panettiere had recently published a memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," which discussed her personal history with addiction and recovery. The conclusion of this case sets no new legal precedent but serves as a documented instance of multi-drug toxicity resulting in a fatality. With the Greenville Police Department officially closing the file, no further law enforcement actions are scheduled. Panettiere was known for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and "Nashville."