Hayden Panettiere autopsy rules out major detail in death as coroner breaks silence

Hayden Panettiere's autopsy has ruled that there were "no signs of trauma" that could have caused her death aged 36. The Heroes actor's father announced her death in a statement on Sunday night, after it was reported that emergency services responded to a call for a person in "cardiac arrest".

The Greenville County Coroner's Officer said in a statement to the BBC that the person was identified as Panettiere and that emergency service officials began "advanced cardiac life support measures", after which resuscitation efforts "were unsuccessful".

"An autopsy was completed today," the statement begins. "At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.

"The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies."

People reported that dispatch audio recorded officials discussing an "overdose" and "cardiac arrest" around the time of Panettiere's death.

In a statement given to the publication, Greenville Police Department confirmed an investigation into her death had begun.

"The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call."

In an update, they added: "First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM."

Panettiere's acting career began when she was four years old, playing Sarah Roberts in the ABC soap opera One Life.

She went on to score roles in the superhero series Heroes as well as Nashville, Bring It On: All Or Nothing, I Love You, Beth Cooper, and Scream VI.

Announcing her death, Panettiere's father, Skip Panettiere, said she was "an incredible light and a force of nature".

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," he wrote.

"She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen."

He went on to ask that their family be given privacy while they "take time to process this unimaginable loss".

She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko.

Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn