By Islam El-Sakka
Actor Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled an accident and the police investigation in South Carolina has been closed, authorities announced Wednesday. Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive on August 16 at an apartment complex in Greenville where she was staying.
Coroner's Findings
The Greenville County Coroner's Office determined last month that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The coroner found no signs of trauma contributing to her death, and police said no evidence of foul play was discovered during the initial response and investigation.
Investigation and Reaction
Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was at the complex at the time and showed officers a bag of medication he said she had been taking. Following the coroner's report, Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, described her daughter as a "fighter" who was transparent about her addiction and whose numerous rehab attempts showed her resolve to live a healthy life. Vogel also said she had never heard her daughter speak of fentanyl.
Career and Personal Struggles
Panettiere entered Hollywood as a child actor and later starred in the series "Heroes" and "Nashville," as well as films such as "Remember the Titans," "Ice Princess," and "Bring It On: All or Nothing." In her memoir, she detailed how her life spiraled after the birth of her daughter with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, leading to heavy drinking, postpartum depression, and rehab stays. She gave Klitschko custody of their child in 2018. Panettiere also wrote about grieving her brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 from an undiagnosed heart condition.
