‘Heroes’ star Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled accidental after fentanyl overdose, police close investigation into tragedy

US actress Hayden Panettiere's death at 36 has been ruled accidental, with police closing their investigation into the fatal drug overdose. — AFP file pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 10:35 AM MYT

LOS ANGELES, Oct 29 — The death of Hollywood actress Hayden Panettiere has officially been ruled accidental, with police closing their investigation more than two months after the Heroes and Nashville star died from a fatal cocktail of drugs.

The 36-year-old actress was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, with toxicology tests later revealing fentanyl, Xanax and several other substances in her system.

Greenville police announced yesterday that their investigation had concluded, confirming the findings of a medical examiner who determined last month that Panettiere died from an accidental overdose.

“Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental,” police said in a statement.

The announcement brings the local investigation to a close, although questions remain over a separate federal inquiry reportedly involving the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

According to the BBC, the DEA had joined local authorities in examining the circumstances surrounding the actress’s death.

It remains unclear whether the federal investigation has also concluded. The BBC said it had contacted the agency for comment.

Panettiere, who rose to fame playing indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in the hit television series Heroes, had spoken openly about her years-long struggles with substance abuse.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed in September that the actress died from the toxic effects of several drugs, including fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid responsible for a devastating overdose crisis across the United States.

Other substances identified included alprazolam, commonly sold under the brand name Xanax, methocarbamol, a prescription muscle relaxant, and quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication used to treat certain mental health conditions.

The toxicology findings also identified 4-ANPP, a chemical associated with fentanyl production.

Emergency crews were called to the residence after Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest, but attempts to save her were unsuccessful.

An autopsy found no signs of physical trauma contributing to her death.

Her former boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, who has previously admitted to abusing the actress, was at the property when emergency services arrived, along with his brother Zack, according to a police report cited by the BBC.

Police have not announced any charges in connection with her death.

Panettiere first found fame as a child actress before becoming a household name through Heroes and later earning acclaim for her portrayal of country singer Juliette Barnes in the television drama Nashville.

She had previously spoken about her struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction, as well as the personal difficulties she faced away from the cameras.

Her death at just 36 brought a tragic end to a career that began in childhood and spanned more than three decades in Hollywood.