Actress Hayden Panettiere, remembered for roles in ‘Remember the Titans’ and TV series like ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ was found unresponsive at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. Zach and Brian Hickerson, were present during this tragic event. This incident was detailed in a police report and a 911 call the two brothers made at the scene.
Despite attempts to save her with advanced cardiac life support, Panettiere was pronounced dead by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. She was 36 years old. An autopsy later concluded her death was accidental, resulting from the toxic combination of drugs such as fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine.
Zach Hickerson reported to the 911 operator that Panettiere appeared not to be breathing. The operator guided him through CPR procedures while emergency services were en route. Zach later revealed that Brian Hickerson had administered Narcan, an emergency treatment for opioid overdoses.
Panettiere publicly discussed her struggles with substance abuse. In a 2022 People magazine interview, she revealed her battles with opioid and alcohol addiction that began in her teenage years. In her memoir, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning,’ published in 2026, she addressed addiction, physical abuse, postpartum depression, and her ongoing recovery journey. During a May interview with Gayle King for CBS News, Panettiere expressed hopes that her openness could inspire others facing similar challenges.
She emphasized the importance of sharing her story and working towards continual self-improvement. Panettiere remarked that she felt healthier than she had in a long time, attributing some of her recovery success to effective therapy.