What to Know
- Hayden Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and other drugs, according to the coroner’s office in Greenville County, South Carolina.
- The coroner determined that the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star died from an accident overdose of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine.
- The autopsy showed no signs of injuries that would have contributed to her death.
- Panettiere died Aug. 16 at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment at the age of 36.
- The Greenville Police Department released a statement later Tuesday, indicating its death investigation remains open.
Actor Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl and several other drugs, according to a coroner’s report released Tuesday.
The report listed the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star’s cause of death as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP — used in the manufacture of fentanyl — Alprazolam, commonly known by the brand name Xanax and used to treat anxiety, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine.
The manner of death was ruled an accident.
Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant, often used to treat muscle pain. Quetiapine is an antipsychotic prescription medication.
The autopsy showed no signs of injuries that would have contributed to her death.
Panettiere died Aug. 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 36. First responders found her in cardiac arrest when they arrived and started life support measures.
Resuscitation efforts were not successful, and Panettiere died at the scene. Authorities said Panettiere had been temporarily staying at the residence.
A heavily redacted Greenville Police Department report released days after her death showed that Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with her at the apartment complex when she died. A responding officer said Brian Hickerson did not become visibly emotional until Panettiere was declared dead by EMS.
The report also said he showed police a “bag of medication” Panettiere was taking at the time of her death.
In a statement in August, Hickerson’s attorney Sloan Ellis reiterated that police found no signs of foul play.
In a statement later Tuesday, the Greenville Police Department said its investigation into the death remains active.
“The Greenville Police Department is aware that the Greenville County Coroner’s Office has completed its investigation into the death of Hayden Panettiere,” the police department said. “The Coroner’s Office report represents one component of the ongoing investigation. The Greenville Police Department’s investigation remains active and has not been closed. Our detectives will continue to follow leads and gather information as we work toward resolving this case. No further information is available for release at this time.”
Panettiere’s rise to Hollywood stardom began at a young age when she appeared in TV commercials. Early acting credits included soap operas like “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light,” beginning at age 4. She voiced the young princess ant in “A Bug’s Life,” and eventually appeared in big-screen stories, including “Remember the Titans,” “Ice Princess” and “Bring It On: All or Nothing.”
Her breakout role came with the NBC sci-fi series “Heroes,” in which she portrayed a high school cheerleader with superpowers. Panettiere earned two Golden Globe nominations for her role as a country music star in ABC’s “Nashville.”
She shared her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression in her recently released memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” Panettiere revealed this year that she previously struggled with postpartum depression and addiction, which she said led to her decision to give up custody of her only child, daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in 2018, whom she had with former partner Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian professional boxer.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug or substance abuse problem, call these numbers for help: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357); the National Drug Helpline is 1-844-289-0879; and the American Addiction Centers’ hotline is (866) 464-3073.
