Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Revealed as Toxic Effects of Fentanyl and More; Death Ruled an Accident

Hayden Panettiere‘s death was caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and other drugs and has been ruled an accident, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to Variety on Tuesday.

“The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine,” the coroner’s official statement said, adding that there were “no signs of trauma” that would have contributed to death. “The manner of death has been ruled accident.”

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid; 4-ANPP is a chemical intermediate used to illegally manufacture fentanyl; Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine better known by its brand name Xanax; Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant; and Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

The actress, known for her roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI,” died on Aug. 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 36. At approximately 1:51 p.m., a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest and first responders discovered Panettiere unconscious inside a residence where she had been temporarily staying. They initiated life support measures, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

The Greenville Police Department later confirmed to Variety that no foul play was suspected in her death. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” a spokesperson said. “An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”

Panettiere began her career at age 5, starring on the soap operas “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light.” In 2000, she landed her breakout role in the sports drama “Remember the Titans” alongside Denzel Washington, and the next year was cast in the NBC superhero series “Heroes,” in which she played regenerating cheerleader Claire Bennet.

From there, she starred in the musical drama series “Nashville” from 2012 to 2018, earning two Golden Globe nominations, and played fan favorite Kirby in 2011’s “Scream 4” and 2023’s “Scream VI.” Panettiere’s other screen credits include Disney’s 2005 ice skating movie “Ice Princess,” in which she co-starred with Michelle Trachtenberg, and 2006’s “Bring It On: All or Nothing.”

Panettiere had been open about her struggles with alcohol and drugs over the years, and stepped away from the industry in 2016 before returning in 2023 with “Scream VI.” In May of this year, she published a memoir titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she wrote candidly about these struggles and the impact of growing up in Hollywood.