Actress Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled accidental — Died from the toxic effects of fentanyl

Actress Hayden Panettiere died from the toxic effects of several drugs, including fentanyl, according to findings released by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.

The 36-year-old actress died Aug. 16 after she was found unresponsive inside a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where authorities said she had been temporarily staying.

The coroner determined that Panettiere died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.

Her death was officially ruled an accident.

Emergency officials received a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest at approximately 1:51 p.m. on Aug. 16.

First responders and emergency medical personnel attempted advanced life-saving measures after arriving at the residence.

Panettiere was ultimately pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m., according to the coroner’s office.

An autopsy was later performed by a board-certified forensic pathologist.

Authorities said there were “no signs of trauma” that contributed to Panettiere’s death.

The investigation was conducted by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office alongside the Greenville City Police Department.

Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were reportedly among those who discovered her unresponsive and contacted emergency services.

A police report said Brian Hickerson later provided investigators with a bag containing medications Panettiere had been taking.

Hickerson had reportedly traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her death. His brother told authorities that Hickerson and Panettiere were in a relationship at the time.

Federal authorities also became involved in the investigation. Fox News reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration had been contacted and was assisting investigators.

Before the official cause of death was released, Panettiere’s representatives pushed back strongly against public speculation surrounding her final hours.

Her representative accused people who were not close to the actress of using the tragedy to “fuel gossip and speculation.”

The representative described that speculation as “deeply disrespectful to her memory” and urged anyone with legitimate information to provide it directly to law enforcement rather than post theories online.

Panettiere had worked in Hollywood since childhood and became widely known for roles in television and film, including “Heroes,” “Nashville,” “Remember the Titans” and “Ice Princess.”

Her death at 36 prompted widespread attention while authorities worked to determine what happened inside the South Carolina residence.

The coroner’s findings now establish the official cause and manner of death, identifying the combination of drugs as the cause and classifying the death as accidental.