Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled accidental overdose involving fentanyl

Hayden Panettiere, 36, died from an accidental overdose of several substances, including fentanyl, the Greenville County coroner announced Tuesday. She was discovered unresponsive in her Greenville, South Carolina, apartment on August 16. Brian Hickerson, who had been in a fluctuating relationship with Panettiere, and his brother Zach were present at the time. The coroner’s office said toxicology found fentanyl, a by‑product of the drug, the anti‑anxiety medication alprazolam, a muscle relaxant and a treatment used for major depression and other serious mental health conditions in her system. The full autopsy report was not released. Paramedics arrived after a 911 call and performed more than 40 minutes of CPR and advanced resuscitation before confirming her death. Coroner Mike Ellis noted no signs of trauma that could explain the fatality. Greenville police confirmed the investigation remains active. A police report listed the medications Panettiere was prescribed, but the specific names were redacted. Family publicist Kasey Kitchen told the Associated Press that the probe is ongoing and described the case as complex. The coroner’s statement did not identify a single drug as the sole cause, underscoring the mix of substances involved. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the overdose, and no further details have been made public at this stage.