Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation has been closed by police, with authorities ruling the Nashville star’s death an accident following the discovery of several substances in her system.
The actress, 36, who was also known for playing Claire Bennet in the supernatural drama Heroes and Kirby Reed in the Scream film franchise, was found unresponsive at a home in Greenville, South Carolina, on 16 August.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has subsequently attributed her death to the toxic effects of multiple drugs, while police concluded their investigation following the medical examiner’s findings.
The Greenville Police Department has now said the case had been closed “based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation”.
According to a coroner’s report, Hayden’s death was attributed to the “toxic effects” of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
The report stated: “At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”
Police responded to a call concerning an unresponsive woman at approximately 1.50pm local time on 16 August.
Officers found Hayden in cardiac arrest, according to the coroner’s findings, and emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her.
Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the property at 2.32pm.
Her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present when the actress died, according to a police report.
The brothers called 911 as the emergency unfolded, with responding officers documenting their behaviour while medical personnel attempted to save Hayden’s life.
Zach is said to have become visibly emotional during the resuscitation attempts, while Brian reportedly showed emotion after Hayden was formally pronounced dead.
Investigators also recorded Brian handed officers a “bag of medication” belonging to the actress.
The circumstances surrounding her death were subsequently examined by police and the coroner’s office, with investigators ultimately determining that the death was accidental.
Hayden’s death was confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, in a statement to ABC News.
He said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.”
Skip added: “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
The actress had spoken publicly about her struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction, as well as postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, now 11.
In May 2026, she published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, detailing her experiences of childhood fame, addiction, relationships and recovery.
Speaking to Gayle King on CBS News that month, Hayden said: “I really wanted to share with the world that they don’t have to be afraid. That they can live their truth. They can be imperfect.”
Asked about her recovery, she said: “Still working on myself all the time. I had a great therapist and I’m… I’m better, healthier than I’ve been in a long time.”
Hayden rose to international fame playing the indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes, before portraying country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a role that brought her further acclaim.
She also appeared in Remember the Titans, Bring It On: All or Nothing and Scream 4, later returning as Kirby Reed in Scream VI.
Her death also prompted legal proceedings involving her former fiancé, Ukrainian former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, 50, with whom she shared Kaya.
According to court documents, Wladimir sought temporary authority over Hayden’s estate amid concerns that some of her possessions, including jewellery, may have been sold without authorisation.
The filing stated Wladimir “believes that a non-family member previously connected to Hayden sold certain items belonging to Hayden, believed to include jewellery, to a pawn shop”.
He also expressed concern other possessions could be “sold, transferred or otherwise rendered unrecoverable”.
On 8 October, Wladimir was granted temporary legal authority to protect the estate on behalf of Kaya, who is Hayden’s sole
Although Greenville police announced on 28 October their investigation had concluded without charges, it remained unclear whether the US Drug Enforcement Administration was continuing a separate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Hayden’s death.
CNN reported investigators had previously examined whether the actress obtained illicit or potentially counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California.
