Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for her roles in Remember the Titans, Heroes, and Nashville, was pronounced dead at a Greenville, South Carolina residence on August 16 after emergency responders attempted resuscitation, newly released 911 call audio reveals. Panettiere, 36 years old, was found unconscious by Brian Hickerson, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, and his brother Zach Hickerson, according to a police report and the 911 call obtained by CBS News. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and took over resuscitation efforts, which ultimately proved futile.
Autopsy findings confirm accidental overdose
An autopsy conducted by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that Panettiere’s death was accidental, caused by the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The coroner’s report classified the manner of death as accidental, with no indication of foul play. Panettiere had previously discussed her struggles with substance abuse in public interviews and her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, where she detailed her experiences with opioid and alcohol addiction, postpartum depression, and recovery.
911 call details frantic efforts to revive Panettiere
The 911 call, released on August 21, captures the chaotic moments following Panettiere’s collapse. Zach Hickerson, who arrived at the couple’s home after church, told the dispatcher that Panettiere was not breathing and that Brian Hickerson had also been present but was unable to revive her. The dispatcher instructed Zach to begin CPR, providing step-by-step guidance on chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. At one point, Zach asked whether the apartment complex had a defibrillator, to which the dispatcher replied that they should proceed with CPR regardless. The call ends with emergency services arriving and taking over the resuscitation efforts.
Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, shortly after finding Panettiere unconscious, according to a TMZ interview with Zach Hickerson. Panettiere had publicly shared her journey with addiction, including her use of opioids and alcohol since her teens, as well as her experiences with physical abuse and mental health challenges. In a May 2024 interview with CBS News’ Gayle King, she expressed hope that sharing her story would help others struggling with similar issues.
Background on Panettiere’s career and personal life
Panettiere rose to fame as a child actor, gaining widespread recognition for her role as Sheryl Yoast in the 2000 film Remember the Titans. She later starred as Claire Bennet in the NBC series Heroes (2006–2010) and as Juliette Barnes in the ABC musical drama Nashville (2012–2018). Her personal life, including her relationship with Brian Hickerson, has been a subject of media attention in recent years. Panettiere’s death has prompted reflections on her legacy and the broader issues of substance abuse and mental health within the entertainment industry.