Hayden Panettiere's cause of death revealed to be 'toxic effects' from combination of drugs
Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been confirmed by authorities, a month on from her death aged 36.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a report, per WYFF 4 News, on Tuesday (22 September) that the actress died of 'toxic effects' of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine'. Her manner of death has been ruled an accident.
The full coroner's statement reads: "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.
"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.
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"The Greenville County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and initiated a parallel investigation with the Greenville City Police Department."
It continued: "The decedent has been identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California. 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.
"The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. The manner of death has been ruled accident."
On 16 August, first responders attended an address in South Carolina following a report of an ‘unresponsive female’. A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said in a statement at the time that medical personnel pronounced the Bring It On: All In actress ‘deceased at the scene'.
"The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” the statement continued.
A spokesperson explained that the preliminary investigation has 'not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances'.
"An acquaintance of Ms Panettiere placed the [original] 911 call," they concluded.
It was later revealed, according to a police report, that Panettiere's on-and-off ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were on the scene when authorities arrived.
The report outlined that Brian showed the police a ‘bag of medication’ that Panettiere was taking when she died.
Brian's attorney, Sloan Ellis, told TMZ in a statement on 20 August: "Hayden's death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.
"As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."
The news comes after various publications obtained 911 audio, which saw officials describing the situation as an ‘overdose’ and ‘cardiac arrest’.
Skip Panettiere, the Heroes star’s father, broke the news of his daughter's death and asked fans and the media to respect his family’s privacy at this time.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," Skip told ABC News.
“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her - and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Panettiere entered Hollywood in her youth, starring in various Disney projects, including voicing Dot in A Bug’s Life and appearing alongside the late Michelle Trachtenberg in Ice Princess.
She returned to the Scream franchise in 2023 as Kirby Reed, a target in the fourth killing spree committed by Ghostface.
In Scream VI, Panettiere’s character is an Atlanta-based FBI special agent who travels to New York to assist in the latest copycat killing investigation.
Speaking about her comeback, the Nashville favourite claimed becoming Reed again was a ‘perfect’ experience.
“I took four years off and didn’t know what the right next move was,” she told The Independent. “Then Scream came along and I was like, ‘It’s perfect’. It was like going home. Like going home to a family.”
Following her Scream VI stint, Panettiere appeared in a handful of projects, including 2024’s Amber Alert, A Breed Apart, and Sleepwalker, which was released in January.
The icon, who voiced several characters in the Kingdom Hearts game franchise, leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko.
The former professional boxer had custody of their child due to Panettiere's struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
In one of her final interviews, she discussed her adoration for her Kya.
“I love my daughter, and I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming,” she said to Momé.
“I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her. She's like a mini-me.”
When asked what her idea of a ‘good mother’ was, Panettiere added: “A good mom is someone who loves their child unconditionally, puts them first, tries to live by example, and always lets them know that they're rooting for them — no matter what.
“Someone they can turn to in any season of their life, without judgment.”
Topics: Celebrity, TV And Film, US News, News, World News
Ella Scott