Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36 has been officially classified as accidental, with police confirming Wednesday that the actress died from a drug overdose two months after her sudden passing.
In a statement, the Greenville Police Department said: “Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental.”
The ruling closes the police inquiry into Panettiere’s death, according to the statement obtained by CNN .
Panettiere died on August 16 at a home in Greenville, South Carolina. Her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were reportedly at the property when she was pronounced dead.
Last month, a spokesperson for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to Our News Outlet that Panettiere died from the “toxic effects” of several substances, including fentanyl.
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid—approximately 50 times stronger than heroin—and even a small amount can result in a fatal overdose.
Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36 was ruled accidental after police determined she died from a drug overdose. She is pictured in Los Angeles in 2022
Her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead, pictured in 2018
A spokesperson said: “An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. No signs of trauma were found that would have contributed to the death.
“The cause of death has been determined to be the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. The manner of death has been ruled an accident.
“This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.”
Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant typically used for short-term muscle pain. Quetiapine, sold under the brand name Seroquel, is a prescription antipsychotic used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
Alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, is prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders. The chemical 4-ANPP is used as a key ingredient in the illicit production of fentanyl.
Last week, insiders told TMZ that investigators believed Panettiere may have fatally taken a single oxycodone pill containing fentanyl.
Sources told the outlet that Panettiere had a longtime drug dealer in Los Angeles who supplied her with narcotics illegally, including oxycodone.
According to authorities, Panettiere took several drugs purchased in Los Angeles the day before she flew to South Carolina, where she was found dead the following day.
In a statement issued last month, Panettiere’s representative said: “As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise.
“Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have contributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.”
The representative added: “While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold.”
Panettiere, pictured in Hollywood in September 2022. Greenville police said her death was ruled accidental based on the Medical Examiner’s findings and the investigation
Panettiere was found unresponsive at the Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina
Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, now 11, whom she shares with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, pictured in 2011
In 2018, when Kaya was three, Panettiere gave full custody to her former fiancé amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. Wladimir later moved their daughter to his native Ukraine
The representative for the Heroes star concluded: “The answers we are all seeking will come.”
On the day of her death, emergency responders went to a condominium in Greenville, South Carolina, where they attempted to revive the actress before she was pronounced dead.
Sloan Ellis, Hickerson’s attorney, said in an August 20 statement: “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.
“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
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Panettiere and Hickerson had been linked since 2018, with their relationship marked by turmoil. Hickerson was convicted of domestic abuse in connection with their time together.
In April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony domestic abuse charges as part of a deal. He had initially faced eight charges in Los Angeles, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery and inflicting corporal injury, following his arrest in July 2020.
The court sentenced him to 45 days in jail and four years of probation, while also requiring him to complete domestic violence classes.
The remaining charges were dismissed after his pleas. Panettiere was also granted a five-year protective order, which expired earlier this year.
In 2020, Panettiere released a statement saying she wanted her experience to help others facing similar circumstances.
“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me,” she said, “in the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve.”
In her memoir, Panettiere wrote that she never wanted “to be a spokesperson for domestic violence,” adding: “I never wanted to call myself a victim, but here I am.”
She continued: “It’s part of my story whether I want it to be or not. So, I’ll lay it all out here: seven years of mental illness, addiction, rage, abuse and pain in just a few pages.
“You never forget the first time someone slaps you nor do you forget the last … the slaps become hits.”
The actress was pictured promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, at a Barnes & Noble in Manhattan. Sources said she asked the venue to keep Hickerson away
In May, Hickerson spoke with TMZ about the domestic violence and abuse described by Panettiere in her memoir.
“I got arrested for abusing her, and I wouldn’t blame her friends for being pissed off with me, so I don’t really have much to say on that,” Hickerson said. “You never lay hands on a woman, bottom line.”
Hickerson also addressed a disturbing incident Panettiere had recounted in the book.
He said: “There’s a story where I was drunk, right? Hayden was standing across the room and I had a phone in my hand and I said, ‘Hayden, I’ll give you 10 seconds to run as fast as you can before I throw it at you.’”
Hickerson added: “Who wants to read something about themselves, right? But you gotta be vulnerable and I did it. I did it, so.”
He said he had been in “such a dark place” involving drugs and alcohol, adding: “Good God, almighty, she’s five foot two on paper, four-foot-11 in real life. I mean, come on.”
Panettiere was widely remembered for playing Claire Bennet on NBC’s hit superhero series Heroes
She also starred as Juliette Barnes on ABC’s Nashville and released several songs of her own
Panettiere began her career as a child actor, appearing in soap operas before gaining broader attention in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans alongside Denzel Washington. She also voiced Dot in Pixar’s 1998 animated film A Bug’s Life.
She went on to become a household name as cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes, then played country music star Juliette Barnes for six seasons on Nashville.
Her work on Nashville earned her two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress. Her music career also produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Her film credits included 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing, the comedy-drama Raising Helen, and appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.
Panettiere had an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, after a life-threatening childbirth. She later transferred full custody of her daughter to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Her death was announced by her father, Skip Panettiere, who said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.
“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her—and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Greenville authorities later confirmed that officers had responded to an apartment after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman in what was initially described as a possible drug overdose. The woman was subsequently identified as Panettiere.
