WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Authorities ruled Hayden Panettiere’s death accidental and closed the police investigation.
  • The actress died at 36 after being found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment.
  • The coroner cited toxic effects from fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
  • Emergency personnel attempted to revive Panettiere before she was pronounced dead at 2:32 PM.
  • Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental, authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital, bringing the police investigation into the actress’s death to an end. Police announced the determination based on the medical examiner’s decision and the findings from the investigation.

"Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental," the Greenville Police Department said in a statement.

The department said the ruling closes its investigation into Panettiere’s death. The actress, known for her roles in "Heroes," "Remember the Titans" and "Ice Princess," was 36.

Panettiere died on Aug. 16 after she was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities received an emergency call that afternoon concerning a reported cardiac arrest at 701 Easley Bridge Road.

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The Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The office provided details about the emergency response in a release obtained by Fox News Digital.

"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," the Greenville County Coroner's Office said in the release.

Emergency crews responded to the Greenville address after the call. According to the coroner’s account, first responders and Emergency Medical Services found Panettiere in cardiac arrest and attempted to save her.

"First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM."

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Brian Hickerson, described as Panettiere’s boyfriend, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with the actress at the time of her death, according to a police report. The report also described how each brother reacted while emergency personnel worked at the scene.

Zach appeared "very emotional" as paramedics attempted to revive the "Remember the Titans" star, the police report said. Brian did not become emotional until Panettiere was declared dead, according to the same report.

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Brian had traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive, according to TMZ. The two had briefly ended their relationship in 2022 before rekindling their romance the following year.

Zach confirmed to police that Brian was in a relationship with Panettiere when she died. Brian later broke his silence following the actress’s death.

Panettiere found fame at a young age while appearing in "Remember the Titans." She later became widely associated with "Heroes" and also starred in "Ice Princess."

The actress is survived by her daughter, Kaya, who was born in 2014. Panettiere shared Kaya with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Klitschko mourned Panettiere following her death and vowed to keep her memory alive for their daughter.

The substances identified by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office formed the basis of the reported cause of death. Authorities did not describe the death as intentional, and the police department formally classified it as accidental.

The official ruling followed the emergency response, the coroner’s determination, and the police investigation. With the accidental classification announced, the Greenville Police Department said its investigation into Panettiere’s death was closed.

Fox News chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt reported on Panettiere’s official cause of death on "The Story." His report noted that the death had been ruled accidental because of the toxic effects of fentanyl and the other substances identified by the coroner.

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