In brief
Actress Hayden Panettiere died at 36 after being found unresponsive in a South Carolina residence. A coroner’s analysis determined the fatal agents were fentanyl, Xanax, methocarbamol and quetiapine, with no contributing trauma. The death was ruled accidental, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is assisting local investigators. Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her addiction and postpartum depression.
Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died at age 36 after authorities found her unresponsive at a Greenville County, South Carolina, residence about a month ago.
The coroner’s office completed an autopsy that identified fentanyl and Xanax among the toxic substances in her system, along with methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant) and quetiapine (an antipsychotic). No signs of external trauma were detected, and the coroner described the death as accidental.
Panettiere had spoken openly about her ongoing struggles with addiction and postpartum depression, publishing a memoir earlier this year that detailed her personal battles.
Emergency responders initiated advanced life‑support measures but could not revive her. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is cooperating with local officials to investigate the case.
At the time of her death, her former partner Brian Hickerson and his brother Zack were present in the home according to police reports.
