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Hayden Panettiere Died of Accidental Toxic Effects of Multiple Drugs, Coroner Rules
The Greenville County Coroner's Office said the 36-year-old actress died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine, and ruled the manner of death an accident.
Hayden Panettiere died from the toxic effects of a combination of drugs including fentanyl, and her death has been ruled an accident, the Greenville County Coroner's Office said.
The 36-year-old actress was found unresponsive inside a residence on Easley Bridge Road in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16, 2026, where she had been temporarily staying, according to the coroner's office. A 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest was received at about 1:51 p.m. that day. First responders and emergency medical personnel arrived and located a woman in cardiac arrest, began advanced cardiac life support measures, and continued resuscitation efforts until she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
The coroner's office identified the deceased as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California, and said it opened a parallel investigation with the Greenville City Police Department. An autopsy performed by a board-certified forensic pathologist found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to the death.
The cause of death was listed as the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. The manner of death was ruled an accident.
According to a police report, Panettiere's boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, called 911 after finding the actress unresponsive. Hickerson later gave authorities a bag containing medication Panettiere had been taking. The report said Zach appeared very emotional while paramedics worked to revive her, while Hickerson did not become emotional until after she was declared dead.
Hickerson had traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive, and his brother confirmed to police that Brian and the actress were in a relationship at the time of her death. The two had briefly broken up in 2022 before rekindling their romance the following year.
The Drug Enforcement Administration was also contacted and was assisting with the investigation, which remained open as authorities continued to examine the circumstances surrounding her final hours.
Panettiere's representatives had previously condemned speculation about the actress's death, saying that many people who were not close to her were using the loss to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about. In a statement, the representatives called that deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are grieving.
The statement urged anyone with legitimate information that could be helpful to contact law enforcement rather than turn to social media to speculate publicly about something they do not fully understand. Her team also said that much more to the story had yet to emerge, and that those closest to Panettiere were actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served.
Panettiere, who began her career as a child actress, was known for roles in television and film, including the series «Heroes» and the drama «Nashville». She was 36.
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