Actress Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 from an accidental drug overdose. The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina has now officially closed its investigation, confirming that her death was accidental.
The 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' star was pronounced dead on August 16 at an apartment in Greenville. In the months leading up to her death, Panettiere had spoken openly about her struggles with mental health and addiction, as well as the devastating loss of her younger brother.
Hayden Panettiere's Cause of Death Revealed
According to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and several other substances, including alprazolam (Xanax), methocarbamol, quetiapine, and 4-ANPP. The autopsy also found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death.
Emergency responders found the actress in cardiac arrest and attempted to resuscitate her, but their efforts were unsuccessful. In a statement reported by CNN, police confirmed that the investigation had concluded and her death had been ruled accidental.
Panettiere Was Found by Her Boyfriend and His Brother
According to investigative records, Panettiere was discovered unresponsive on a sofa bed by two men later identified as her boyfriend and his brother. One of them reportedly administered two doses of Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, before calling 911.
As reported by CNN, one of the men told investigators that he had been unaware of any recent illegal drug use. He also reportedly suggested that Panettiere had been particularly skilled at concealing her substance use.
The DEA Was Also Involved in the Investigation
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also became involved in the case as authorities investigated whether Panettiere had obtained illegal or potentially counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California.
Although Greenville police have officially closed their investigation, it remains unclear whether the DEA's separate inquiries have also concluded. A police spokesperson told CNN that she could not comment on the status of investigations conducted by other agencies.
Hayden Panettiere Had Spoken Openly About Her Struggles
Throughout her career, Panettiere was candid about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight and her experiences with addiction and mental health. In her memoir, published earlier this year, she reflected on those struggles and the heartbreaking loss of her brother.
Despite those personal challenges, the actress had also been making a return to the screen, with her latest film released in January. Her death at just 36 brought an unexpected end to a career that had spanned decades.
