Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled as 'accidental drug overdose' as investigation officially closes

Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled as 'accidental drug overdose'; police close investigations after two months of investigation. The actress was found unconscious in her Greenville apartment on August 16. (YouTube)

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains references to alcohol and drug addiction.Police in South Carolina have officially closed the investigation into actress Hayden Panettiere’s death. The cause of her demise has been ruled an accidental drug overdose more than two months after the actress left for her heavenly abode on August 16.

Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled an accident

According to reports shared online from CNN, the ''actress' demise was ruled as an “accidental drug overdose." The Greenville police department shared the news on Wednesday and also issued an official statement, which read, “Based on the (coroner’s office’s) determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental. The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation.

”While the accidental death ruling had been made by the coroner’s office last month, the investigation was still underway since illegal substances were also involved in the case. The police had been looking into how the 36-year-old had gotten access to illicit and counterfeit drugs from a dealer located in Southern California.The actress was found unresponsive in a Greenville apartment on August 16. At the time, Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were the ones who had found her and had called emergency services to provide first aid.

It was revealed that the actress was found with opioid fentanyl and other drugs in her system.

Hayden Panettiere’s struggle with addiction

The actress, best known for her roles in ‘One Life To Live,' 'Nashville,' and 'Heroes,' had been quite open about her struggle with substance abuse for years. In 2022, while sitting down with PEOPLE for an interview, Panettiere revealed that she had spent years battling her addiction to substances and her postpartum depression.

She shared, "I was on top of the world, and I ruined it. I'd think I hit rock bottom, but then there's that trap door that opens.

"During the interview, she also shared that she had to do a lot of work to deal with her addiction and overcome all of the problems in her life. "This hasn't been easy, and there were a lot of ups and downs. But I don't regret even the ugliest things that have happened to me. I feel incredibly accomplished.

And I feel like I have a second chance," she added.Only months before her passing, the actress had published her memoir, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning,' in which she opened up about her addiction and depression.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, please seek help from available helplines or support organizations.