Death of US actress Hayden Panettiere ruled accidental, ending local police probe

Published28 October 2026

The death of US actress Hayden Panettiere has been ruled accidental, ending a local probe into her death, police in South Carolina have said.

The Heroes and Nashville star died in August from the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and several other drugs in her system, at the age of 36.

Citing the medical examiner's report last month that found Panettiere died from a drug overdose, the Greenville Police Department said it had "concluded its investigation" into her death.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reportedly joined a local police probe. It is unclear if that investigation has also concluded. The BBC has contacted the DEA for comment.

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

Authorities, including the DEA, were reportedly investigating the circumstances of Panettiere's death, according to the BBC's US media partner CBS News.

A spokesperson for Greenville Police Department could not comment on what the DEA was investigating when contacted by the BBC.

Panettiere, who had spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse, was found unresponsive in a South Carolina residence on 16 August.

Drugs at their fingertips, intense pressure: Why child stars fall into addiction

Drugs at their fingertips, intense pressure: Why child stars fall into addiction

In pictures: Her life and career, from child actor to Scream star

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Last month, the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed the former child star had died from an accidental drug overdose that included fentanyl - a synthetic opioid that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans over the past five years alone.

The coroner also found methocarbamol - a prescription muscle relaxant - and quetiapine - an anti-psychotic medication used to treat certain mental health conditions.

The coroner's office had said crews treated a woman in "cardiac arrest" and her autopsy showed "no signs of trauma" contributing to her death.

Panettiere's ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson - who has admitted to abusing her - and his brother Zack were with her when emergency services arrived, according to a police report from the day she died.

Related topics

United States

Drug use

Health

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