Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been officially determined, one month after the actress died at age 36.
Panettiere was found dead on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities initially suspected that her death was linked to a drug overdose.
Her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were reportedly at the home when Panettiere was pronounced dead.
A spokesperson for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed to Our News Outlet that Panettiere died accidentally from the “toxic effects” of several drugs, including fentanyl.
Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid, estimated to be 50 times stronger than heroin. Even a few grains can result in a fatal overdose.
The spokesperson said, “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.”
Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been officially confirmed, one month after the actress died at age 36. She is pictured in Los Angeles in 2022.
Panettiere died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, with authorities initially suspecting a drug overdose. She is pictured in Los Angeles in 2022.
“The cause of death has been ruled as the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The manner of death has been ruled accident.”
“This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.”
Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant commonly used for short-term muscle pain. Quetiapine, sold under the brand name Seroquel, is a prescription antipsychotic used to treat conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.
Alprazolam, better known by its brand name Xanax, is prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
Last week, insiders told TMZ that authorities believed Panettiere had fatally taken a single oxycodone pill contaminated with fentanyl.
Sources told the outlet that Panettiere had a “longtime drug dealer” in Los Angeles from whom she illegally obtained narcotics, including oxycodone.
Authorities reportedly said Panettiere had taken multiple drugs purchased in Los Angeles the day before her death, before flying to South Carolina. She was found dead the following day.
Earlier this month, Panettiere’s representative said in a statement, “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 statement 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.”
Her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were reportedly at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead. They are pictured in 2018.
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko. They are pictured in 2011.
In 2018, when her daughter Kaya was three, she signed full custody to her ex amid her battle with postpartum depression and addiction and Wladimir moved their daughter to his native Ukraine
The late Heroes star’s rep concluded in saying that ‘the answers we are all seeking will come.’
On the day she died, first responders arrived at a Greenville, South Carolina, condo where attempts were made to resuscitate the actress, before she had been pronounced dead.
Hickerson’s lawyer Sloan Ellis said in a statement August 20 that ‘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.’
Panettiere began acting as a child, appearing in soap operas, then gained wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.
Panettiere later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before starring as country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on Nashville.
She earned two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress on the show, while her singing produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
Panettiere’s film credits include 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing, the comedy-drama film Raising Helen, and appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.
She had an 11-year-old daughter called Kaya following a life-threatening birth, and later gave full custody of the child to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Panettiere’s passing was announced by her father Skip Panettiere, who said in a statement: ‘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.’
Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, subsequently said that officials responded to an apartment in the area after receiving a report of an ‘unresponsive female’ via a possible ‘drug overdose,’ subsequently determined to be Panettiere.
