Police Close Investigation Into Hayden Panettiere’s Death After It Was Ruled Accidental

The actress's death in August left fans and loved ones searching for answers. Now, officials in Greenville have delivered their final word on how she died.

The Greenville City Police Department has officially closed its investigation into the death of "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere. The beloved actress passed away on August 16, 2026, at the age of 36.

In a statement shared with multiple outlets on Wednesday, Greenville police said the decision was based on the medical examiner's determination, along with the findings of their investigation.

"Based on the Medical Examiner's determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled accidental," police told E! News on October 28. "The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation."

Panettiere, best known for her roles in the TV series "Heroes" and "Nashville," was pronounced dead in a Greenville apartment after paramedics found her unresponsive. Her cause of death was made public weeks later.

On September 22, the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed that she died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

"On Aug.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 coroner's office said in a statement. "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," the statement continued.

"The Greenville County Coroner's Office responded to the scene and initiated a parallel investigation with the Greenville City Police Department. The decedent has been identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California," the coroner's office added.

It concluded, "Panettiere was found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying. An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death."

Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present when she was pronounced dead. According to a police report obtained by E! News, they were also the ones who called 911.

Before her death, Panettiere spoke openly about her battle with addiction, including how it worsened when she experienced postpartum depression after welcoming daughter Kaya in 2014 with her ex-fiance, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

It's still unknown whether federal authorities are conducting a separate review of her case.

Last month, Klitschko filed a petition in a California court stating that federal law enforcement agents investigating Panettiere's death had seized some of her belongings, and that an unnamed nonrelative had also taken items with the intention of selling them.

Earlier this month, the court granted Klitschko legal status to safeguard Panettiere's property on behalf of their 11-year-old daughter, her sole heir.

In her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning," published in May, Panettiere acknowledged her addiction to alcohol and her struggle with postpartum depression following Kaya's birth. Her daughter went on to live with Klitschko full-time when she was two.

Panettiere addressed that decision during a May 2026 episode of Jay Shetty's podcast "On Purpose," where she pushed back against the "heartbreaking" claims that she "gave away" Kaya.

At the time of the custody change, she was seeking treatment for alcoholism, substance abuse and postpartum depression.

"I mean, the idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking. Couldn't be farther from the truth," she said. "I think a misconception is that I have been, in the past, forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who has sought it out."