Hayden Panettiere’s death was ruled accidental, authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“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 ruling brings the police investigation into Panettiere’s death to a close, the statement said.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED
Panettiere died on Aug. 16 at age 36. She was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S REP SLAMS ‘GOSSIP AND SPECULATION’ AS DEATH INVESTIGATION DEEPENS
The “Heroes” star died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
“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 a release obtained by Fox News Digital.
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“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.”
Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with Panettiere at the time of her death, according to a police report.
The police report said Zach appeared “very emotional” while paramedics worked to revive the “Remember the Titans” star.
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Meanwhile, Hickerson did not become emotional until the “Ice Princess” star was declared dead, according to the report.
Hickerson traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive, according to TMZ. The two broke up briefly in 2022, but rekindled their romance the following year. Hickerson’s brother confirmed to police Brian was in a relationship with the actress at the time of her death.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya, who was born in 2014, with her ex-fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
