South Carolina authorities have confirmed the cause and manner of death of actor Hayden Panettiere, who died aged 36 on 16 August 2026.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. The manner of death was ruled accidental, and the medical examiner reported no signs of trauma.
The Greenville Police Department separately said its preliminary investigation had not indicated foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, where she was with her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson. Police records said an acquaintance placed the emergency call and that paramedics attempted to resuscitate her.
Panettiere became widely known for television roles including Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville. She also appeared in films including Scream 4 and Scream VI.
She began working as an actor as an infant and received two Golden Globe nominations for her performance in Nashville.
Panettiere had a daughter, Kaya, with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. In 2018, Klitschko received full custody while Panettiere focused on her recovery. Panettiere later spoke publicly about her experiences with depression, anxiety and substance use.
In May 2026, Panettiere released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she discussed her life in the entertainment industry, motherhood, addiction and recovery.
In a 2022 interview with People, Panettiere described her recovery as difficult but said she felt she had a second chance. She also discussed her relationship with her daughter in a May 2026 interview with podcast host Jay Shetty.
The official ruling provides the first confirmed cause of death following Panettiere’s death last month. Her family had previously announced her death and asked for privacy while they dealt with the loss.
Source: The Guardian.
