South Carolina authorities have officially closed their investigation into actress Hayden Panettiere’s death at age 36, confirming that she died from an accidental drug overdose involving fentanyl and several other substances.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Police Department announced Wednesday that it has closed its investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, confirming that the 36-year-old star of Heroes and Nashville died from an accidental drug overdose in August.
The announcement, issued Oct. 28, follows an earlier determination by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office that Panettiere died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl and several prescription medications.
“Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental,” the department said in a statement reported by ABC News.
“The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation,” officials added.
Panettiere was found unresponsive Aug. 16 inside an apartment at Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had been temporarily staying.
Emergency dispatchers received a call reporting a woman in cardiac arrest at approximately 1:51 p.m. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 2:32 p.m.
According to FOX Carolina, toxicology testing identified five substances contributing to her death: fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid associated with fatal overdoses, while alprazolam is a prescription medication commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant, and quetiapine is prescribed for certain psychiatric conditions.
The coroner’s findings established that the combined toxic effects of the substances caused Panettiere’s death.
An autopsy revealed no traumatic injuries that contributed to the fatality.
“The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. The manner of death has been ruled an accident,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office stated in its September report, according to WYFF News 4.
Although the coroner’s office completed its investigation in September, Greenville police continued examining the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death.
Authorities investigated whether she may have obtained illicit or counterfeit prescription medications before the overdose.
According to CNN, investigators had been examining the possibility that drugs involved in the fatal overdose came from a supplier in Southern California.
The Drug Enforcement Administration also participated in the investigation.
Federal officials previously declined to discuss specific investigative activities, explaining that drug-related death investigations can involve complicated questions about the origins and distribution of controlled substances.
Wednesday’s announcement confirms the closure of the Greenville Police Department’s investigation. It does not necessarily establish that any separate federal investigation has ended.
No criminal charges were announced in connection with the South Carolina police investigation.
Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the apartment when emergency responders were contacted, according to a police report obtained by CBS News.
The brothers made the emergency call that brought first responders to the residence.
Authorities previously stated that their preliminary investigation had not identified signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Panettiere’s death prompted widespread tributes from colleagues and fans who remembered her work in television and film.
Born Aug. 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere began acting as a child and appeared in numerous television productions before gaining wider recognition.
She became known for portraying Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with regenerative abilities, in NBC’s science-fiction drama Heroes, which premiered in 2006.
Her performance helped establish her as a prominent young television actress.
Panettiere later starred as country music singer Juliette Barnes in ABC’s musical drama Nashville, which premiered in 2012 and continued for six seasons across ABC and CMT.
Her work on Nashville earned two Golden Globe nominations and included musical performances featured on the show’s soundtracks.
She also appeared in several films, including Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess and the Scream franchise.
Panettiere returned to the Scream series in 2023, reprising her role as Kirby Reed in Scream VI.
Outside her acting career, she publicly discussed struggles with alcohol and substance use, as well as postpartum depression.
In her memoir, This Is Me, published earlier in 2026, Panettiere addressed her personal experiences with addiction, relationships and motherhood.
She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiancé and Ukrainian professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
The actress’s death occurred five days before her 37th birthday.
According to The Associated Press, questions remain about whether federal authorities are continuing a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drugs involved in her death.
However, Greenville police have concluded their examination and determined that the evidence supports the coroner’s finding of an accidental overdose.
The ruling closes the local investigation more than two months after Panettiere was found unresponsive, formally establishing the manner of death as accidental rather than the result of a homicide or other intentional act.
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