The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina has officially closed the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville.
According to a statement sent to Deadline, authorities noted that, based on the coroner's determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled accidental. The department added that it has formally concluded the case.
What the autopsy determined about Hayden Panettiere’s death
The Greenville County Coroner's Office had established in September that Panettiere died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The manner of death was ruled accidental.
Investigators had been analyzing whether the actress obtained illicit, possibly counterfeit, drugs through a dealer in Southern California, although that line of inquiry did not lead to any publicly known charges following the closure of the case.
How the actress passed away
Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36. A friend of the actress called 911 to report an unconscious woman. In the audio of the call, emergency medical services mentioned the terms overdose and cardiac arrest in relation to the moment of her death.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate her using advanced cardiac life support, but she was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
Hayden Panettiere’s struggle with addiction and depression
Panettiere had spoken openly in the past about her struggles with depression and addiction. The actress told People magazine that at age 15, she was prescribed pills for depression, which she referred to as happy pills.
She landed the role in Heroes at age 16, and over time began drinking alcohol and using opioids occasionally. She explained that while working on set she managed to keep things in order, but that outside of it, the situation spiraled increasingly out of control, and that over the years, alcohol and drugs became something she felt she could almost not do without.
Hayden Panettiere’s career in Hollywood
Panettiere was a child actress who appeared in commercials before starring for four years as Sarah Roberts in One Life to Live between 1994 and 1997, and later played Lizzie Spaulding in The Guiding Light.
She made her film debut at age 9, providing the voice for a character in A Bug's Life. That same year, she also appeared in The Object of My Affection. In 2000, she played the daughter of a coach in Remember the Titans, a film starring Denzel Washington.
In 2004, she landed one of her first starring roles as the daughter of the character played by Bill Pullman in Tiger Cruise, a Disney Channel production.
Her big breakout role came in 2006 when she played high school cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes, the NBC drama series about superheroes who had to balance their daily lives with the task of saving the world. Six years later, she landed the role of rising country music star Juliette Barnes in Nashville, alongside Connie Britton.
Panettiere also played Kirby Reed in three films of the Scream franchise: Scream 4, released in 2011; an appearance in Scream, from 2022; and Scream VI, in 2023.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, help is available. You can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Frequently asked questions about the death of Hayden Panettiere
What did the police determine about the death of Hayden Panettiere?
The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina closed its investigation and confirmed that the actress's death was ruled accidental, following the coroner's determination.
What was the cause of Hayden Panettiere’s death?
The Greenville County Coroner's Office established that Panettiere died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine.
When did Hayden Panettiere die?
The actress passed away on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36, after being found unconscious by a friend who alerted emergency services.
Was a drug dealer being investigated in connection with her death?
Yes, investigators analyzed whether Panettiere had obtained illicit, possibly counterfeit, drugs through a dealer in Southern California, although the investigation has now been closed by the police.
What series and films did Hayden Panettiere work on?
Among her best-known works are Heroes, where she played Claire Bennet, and Nashville, where she played Juliette Barnes. She also participated in the Scream franchise, playing Kirby Reed in Scream 4, Scream, and Scream VI, in addition to films such as Remember the Titans and A Bug's Life.
