Actress Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled accidental overdose of fentanyl and prescription drugs

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office ruled the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, 36, an accident caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl and several prescription medications, including alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. An autopsy found no evidence of trauma. Panettiere was discovered unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina home, and emergency responders were unable to revive her after she suffered cardiac arrest.

"My saving grace is that I couldn’t be messy while on set and working," Panettiere told People magazine in 2022, describing her struggle with opioid and alcohol addiction.

The actress had previously spoken publicly about her battle with substance abuse, postpartum depression and related anxiety, noting that she turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with stress and panic attacks. She discussed these issues in a 2023 interview on the On Purpose podcast, coinciding with the release of her memoir.

Police reports indicate that Panettiere was in the residence with her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson, who called 911. Hickerson presented a bag of medication to paramedics, and Zach later said his brother administered Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug. The Drug Enforcement Administration has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.