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Updated 18 minutes ago, September 22, 2026

For 37 days, the circumstances surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death remained unresolved after she was found unresponsive at a residence where she was temporarily staying in Greenville, South Carolina. On Tuesday, September 22, officials finally released their findings.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. Her death was ruled an accident.

Panettiere, the 36-year-old actress known for “Heroes” and “Remember the Titans,” was found on August 16. A 911 call reporting cardiac arrest came in at about 1:51 p.m. First responders attempted advanced cardiac life support, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

An autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. The coroner investigated alongside the Greenville City Police Department, and Panettiere’s body was released to her family on August 18.

Her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach Hickerson, were with her when she died. According to a police report, Brian directed officers to a bag containing her medications.

Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about seeking treatment for alcoholism, substance abuse and postpartum depression. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she welcomed with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.

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