Hayden Panettiere death investigation officially closed by police

Police close Hayden Panettiere death investigation after authorities rule her death accidental in South Carolina

Police in Greenville, South Carolina, have closed their investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, confirming that her death was accidental.

The Greenville Police Department announced the decision in a statement to Deadline on October 28, following a determination by the medical examiner.

“Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental,” the department said, adding that it had concluded its investigation.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined in September that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of several substances, including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. The manner of death was also classified as accidental.

Before closing the case, investigators had examined whether the actress had obtained illicit or potentially counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California.

Panettiere died on August 16 at the age of 36. According to reports, a friend called emergency services after finding her unresponsive. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the actress using advanced cardiac life support, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The actress had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with depression and addiction. In an interview with People, she revealed that she had been given medication for depression at the age of 15. She later discussed how her substance use escalated as she grew older, describing the difficulties she experienced away from work.

Panettiere began her career as a child actor, appearing in television commercials and soap operas before making her film debut with a voice role in A Bug’s Life. She later gained widespread recognition for playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC’s superhero drama Heroes.

She also starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in ABC’s Nashville and appeared as Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise, including Scream 4, Scream and Scream VI.

The police department’s announcement brings the investigation into Panettiere’s death to a close, following the coroner’s accidental-death ruling.