The Greenville County Coroner’s Office in South Carolina has ruled the death of actor Hayden Panettiere, 36, an accidental overdose caused by the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl. The coroner’s statement, released on September 22, confirmed that Panettiere’s system contained fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam (Xanax), methocarbamol, and quetiapine at the time of her death. No signs of trauma were found that contributed to her passing, and the manner of death was classified as accidental.
Emergency responders found Panettiere unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16 after receiving a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest. Paramedics performed advanced resuscitation efforts for more than 40 minutes before she was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. that afternoon. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the ongoing investigation, which remains active and has not been closed.
Key developments in the investigation
The coroner’s office stated that Panettiere’s death resulted from the toxic effects of the listed substances, with fentanyl and its byproduct 4-ANPP among the primary contributors. Alprazolam (a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety), methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant), and quetiapine (an antipsychotic medication) were also detected. The combination of these drugs was deemed lethal by the coroner’s office.
The Greenville Police Department confirmed that their investigation is ongoing and that no signs of foul play were discovered during the initial response. A police report noted that Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the residence when she was found. Hickerson reportedly showed authorities a bag of medications he said Panettiere was taking, according to the police report.
Family statement and ongoing inquiries
In a statement released after her death, Panettiere’s family described her as “an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy.” The family’s publicist, Kasey Kitchen, told The Associated Press that “the investigation is still ongoing and the case is complex.” The coroner’s office administratively closed its case, but the broader investigation into the circumstances of her death remains open.
The DEA’s involvement suggests a focus on potential illicit drug sourcing, particularly given reports that Panettiere may have obtained counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl prior to her death. Sources familiar with the probe told NBC News that investigators are reconstructing her final days, including examining phone records, text messages, and social media interactions to trace the origin of the drugs.
Background: Panettiere’s public struggles with addiction
Panettiere rose to fame as a child actor, starring in television series such as Heroes and Nashville. In her May 2024 memoir, This Is Me, she openly discussed her lifelong battles with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. She also detailed the strain on her family, including the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in 2023.
Her relationship with Hickerson, which included allegations of domestic violence and a 2020 restraining order sought by Panettiere, was noted in court records. Hickerson pleaded no contest to injuring a spouse or girlfriend in 2019 and was sentenced to four years of probation. Despite these issues, Panettiere’s mother told NBC News that the two were still seeing each other at the time of her death.
Timeline of events
- August 16, 2024: Panettiere found unresponsive in Greenville, South Carolina; paramedics perform CPR for 40 minutes before she is pronounced dead.
- August 16, 2024: Greenville Police respond to a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest; no signs of foul play initially detected.
- September 22, 2024: Greenville County Coroner’s Office releases toxicology report, ruling death an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and other substances.
- Ongoing: DEA and local authorities continue investigating the source of the drugs, with a focus on Los Angeles-based suppliers.
Current status of the investigation
The Greenville Police Department has stated that the coroner’s report is one component of the broader inquiry, which remains active. The DEA’s participation indicates a potential federal angle to the case, similar to investigations into the deaths of other celebrities, such as Matthew Perry and Mac Miller, where suppliers were later charged. Authorities have not yet identified a specific individual or source linked to the drugs found in Panettiere’s system.