Greenville police close investigation into Hayden Panettiere's accidental death
The actor, 36, was found unresponsive in August; toxicology identified five substances, and the case has been formally concluded.
By Kenji Yamamoto ·
Greenville police closed their investigation into the death of actor Hayden Panettiere on Wednesday, officially ruling the incident an accident. The department released the determination following a review by the Medical Examiner and a full internal inquiry.
Panettiere, 36, was discovered unresponsive on Aug. 16 in a South Carolina apartment complex where she resided. She was known for roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” as well as films including “Remember the Titans” and “Ice Princess.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office issued its report in September. It attributed her death to the toxic effects of multiple drugs. The substances identified in her system were fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The coroner noted an absence of traumatic injuries that contributed to the outcome.
Police stated that no evidence of foul play emerged during the initial response or the subsequent investigation. Brian Hickerson, identified as Panettiere’s on-and-off partner, was present at the apartment complex when she was found. He presented officers with a bag of medication he said she was taking at the time.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration participated in the probe. The agency typically examines the specific narcotics involved, their origin, and whether legal violations occurred during procurement. A source familiar with the matter previously confirmed the DEA’s involvement to NBC News.
Lesley Vogel, Panettiere’s mother, commented on the coroner’s findings. She described her daughter as a fighter who remained transparent about her addiction. Vogel stated she had never heard Panettiere mention fentanyl. The actor had entered rehabilitation weeks before her death, according to the coroner’s file.
Panettiere detailed her personal history in a memoir. She described a decline in her health after giving birth to a daughter with boxer Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. She attributed heavy drinking to postpartum depression and his distance. She later granted Klitschko custody of their child in 2018. Her brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 from an undiagnosed heart condition, an event she also processed in the book.
Source: KNSD
