More than a month after actress Hayden Panettiere was found dead in South Carolina, authorities have officially determined what caused her sudden death at the age of 36.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office announced Tuesday that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl. Her death has officially been classified as an accident.
According to the coroner, fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine were involved in her death. Alprazolam is commonly sold under the brand name Xanax, while methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant. Quetiapine is a prescription medication used to treat several psychiatric conditions.
“On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a release.
“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
“An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death. 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 accident.”
The findings provide the first official answer about Panettiere’s death after weeks of investigation and speculation surrounding what happened inside a Greenville residence on August 16.
Emergency crews were called to the property shortly before 2 p.m. that afternoon following a report of a person suffering cardiac arrest. First responders discovered Panettiere unresponsive and began advanced life-saving measures in an attempt to revive her.
LOS ANGELES, CA. November 03, 2022: Hayden Panettiere at the amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2022 at the Pacific Design Centre.
Picture: Paul Smith-Featureflash
Those efforts were unsuccessful. Panettiere was pronounced dead at approximately 2:32 p.m.
An autopsy subsequently found no injuries or trauma that contributed to her death. Police also said their initial investigation uncovered no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach were at the residence when authorities responded. The investigation later expanded beyond South Carolina as federal authorities became involved in examining the circumstances surrounding the drugs that may have contributed to her death.
Nine days after Panettiere died, federal agents searched her Los Angeles home while investigating the possible involvement of black-market drugs. Investigators had been attempting to determine what substances Panettiere obtained before her death and where they originated.
While the coroner has now officially classified the death as accidental, a representative for Panettiere’s family told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the broader investigation remains ongoing.
Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction. She also discussed undergoing treatment while starring on the hit ABC series “Nashville,” where she portrayed country singer Juliette Barnes.
Her career in Hollywood began when she was a child. Panettiere appeared in commercials and soap operas before landing increasingly prominent film and television roles.
She gained widespread recognition playing Sheryl Yoast in the 2000 football drama “Remember the Titans” before becoming a major television star as Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes.” She later starred opposite Connie Britton on “Nashville,” earning Golden Globe nominations for her performance.
Panettiere’s death came just days before what would have been her 37th birthday. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
