Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death ruled as accidental overdose
Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Pannetiere died last month aged 36. (Getty Images)
South Carolina officials say actor Hayden Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and other drugs, and her death has been ruled an accident, following findings confirmed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner’s office said: “The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine,” adding: “The manner of death has been ruled accident.”
Panettiere died on 16 August 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina, aged 36.
A 911 call was received at approximately 1:51pm on 16 August reporting a cardiac arrest, and Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32pm. The coroner’s office also said: “At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” in a statement published by People.
Coroner’s findings
The coroner’s office confirmed the toxicology and autopsy findings on 22 September, more than a month after Panettiere’s death.
Greenville Police previously said a preliminary investigation did not indicate foul play or suspicious circumstances. Police have also said their investigation remains active and has not been closed. In a statement, the Greenville Police Department said: “Our detectives will continue to follow leads and gather information as we work toward resolving this case.”
Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the scene, according to a police report obtained by CBS News. The brothers made the 911 call that brought first responders to the apartment.
Investigation and legacy
Panettiere rose to global fame as Claire Bennet in NBC’s Heroes. She later led Nashville as Juliette Barnes and starred in the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed. She publicly discussed mental health, addiction and postpartum depression, and was involved in animal welfare and conservation advocacy, including anti-whaling campaigning earlier in her career.
Earlier this month, her representative called cause-of-death speculation “unverified hearsay” while toxicology was still pending. Separately, a family source cited in coverage of the coroner’s report said Panettiere had been released from a drug rehab centre in Malibu not long before she died.
