Authorities have confirmed that actress Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental. This conclusion was reached following the findings of the Medical Examiner and a thorough investigation carried out by the Greenville Police Department.
The police have now closed the investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing. Panettiere, widely recognized for her roles in “Heroes” and “Remember the Titans,” passed away at the age of 36 in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that she died from the toxic effects of a combination of substances, including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine.
“On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville,” stated the Greenville County Coroner’s Office in their release.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene but were unable to revive Panettiere. She was pronounced dead at 2:32 PM.
Reports indicate that Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the time of her death. According to the police report, Zach appeared highly emotional while paramedics attempted to resuscitate her.
Hickerson, who traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles shortly before her death, was confirmed to be in a relationship with her at the time, according to his brother.
Hayden Panettiere leaves behind her daughter, Kaya, born in 2014 with her ex-fiancé and Ukrainian boxer, Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko has expressed his commitment to keeping Panettiere’s memory alive for their daughter.