Local law enforcement authorities in South Carolina have officially concluded their investigation into the death of American actress Hayden Panettiere, determining that her passing was accidental. The 36-year-old star, known for her roles in television series such as Heroes and Nashville as well as the Scream film franchise, died in August following a fatal drug overdose.
In a formal statement, the Greenville Police Department confirmed the closure of its local inquiry, citing the findings of the county medical examiner's report released last month. "Based on the Medical Examiner's determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled accidental," police stated regarding the resolution of the case.
Panettiere was discovered unresponsive at a residence in South Carolina on August 16. Emergency responders who arrived at the scene treated a woman experiencing cardiac arrest. According to a police report filed on the day of the incident, her former boyfriend Brian Hickerson—who has previously admitted to abusing her—and his brother Zack were present with her when emergency medical services arrived.
The Greenville County Coroner's Office subsequently confirmed that the former child actress succumbed to the toxic effects of a lethal drug combination that included fentanyl, Xanax, and additional medications. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been responsible for hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths across the United States over the past five years alone.
In addition to fentanyl and Xanax, toxicological analysis conducted by the coroner identified methocarbamol, a prescription muscle relaxant, and quetiapine, an anti-psychotic drug prescribed for specific mental health conditions. The autopsy results confirmed that there were no physical signs of trauma contributing to her death.
During the initial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death, federal agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reportedly joined local investigators. However, it remains unconfirmed whether the federal agency's inquiry has reached a conclusion. A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department declined to comment on the specific focus of the DEA's involvement. Throughout her career in the spotlight, Panettiere had spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse.
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