Hayden Panettiere's death ruled accidental by police

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 22:03 · Archive

The death of actress Hayden Panettiere, 36, has been ruled accidental after she was found unresponsive in South Carolina on 16 August.

The death of actress Hayden Panettiere has been ruled accidental following the completion of the Greenville Police Department's investigation. The ruling was announced on Wednesday, based on the medical examiner's determination and investigation findings. Panettiere, aged 36, was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on 16 August. Emergency responders were called and attempted advanced cardiac life support measures, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

The Greenville County Coroner's Office determined that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. An autopsy found no signs of trauma. Her toxicology report confirmed multiple substances were present in her system at the time of her death.

According to police reports, Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were at the apartment when she died. Zach made the 911 call reporting cardiac arrest, and reportedly attempted CPR while speaking with the operator. The police investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Panettiere had previously spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse. In a memoir published in May, she acknowledged being addicted to alcohol and experiencing postpartum depression following her daughter's birth in 2014. She had been in rehabilitation weeks before her death.

It remains unclear whether federal authorities continue investigating separately. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reportedly joined the local police probe, though a spokesperson said she could not comment on whether any other agencies were investigating. The BBC reports that the DEA has not yet confirmed whether its investigation has concluded.

Panettiere's ex-fiancé, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, petitioned a California court last month regarding property that had been taken by federal law enforcement agents investigating her death. The court granted Klitschko legal status this month to protect Panettiere's property for their 11-year-old daughter, who is her sole heir.

How it is being reported

• South Carolina police close investigation into Hayden Panettiere's death after coroner's rulingPolice in South Carolina say they have closed their investigation into the overdose death of actor Hayden Panettiere following a coroner’s findings that it was accidentalIndependent World · 28 Oct, 21:41
• Death of US actress Hayden Panettiere ruled accidental, ending local police probeThe Heroes and Nashville star died in August from the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and several other drugs.BBC World · 28 Oct, 21:16
• Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled accidental, police sayGreenville police close Hayden Panettiere death investigation after medical examiner determines actress’ death was accidental.Fox News · 28 Oct, 20:06
• Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation closed after accidental overdoseThe investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death has been closed after her overdose was ruled accidental. “Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental. The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation,” a representative for the department exclusively tells Page Six. Story Developing…New York Post · 28 Oct, 19:46
• Hayden Panettiere's death ruled accidental by South Carolina policeA South Carolina coroner previously confirmed Panettiere died from an accidental drug overdose that included fentanyl.CBS News · 28 Oct, 19:43

In this story: Hayden Panettiere · Brian Hickerson · Zach Hickerson · Wladimir Klitschko · Greenville Police Department · Drug Enforcement Administration · Greenville County Coroner's Office · Greenville

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log