Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death confirmed weeks after Heroes star died aged 36

Nashville, Heroes and Scream star Hayden Panettiere died last month aged 36.

Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been confirmed.

The late Nashville and Heroes actress died aged 36 on August 16, and now the authorities have revealed her official cause of death.

According to the Greenville County Coroner’s office, Panettiere died as a result of toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine.

The manner of her death was ruled an accident.

In a new statement, the Coroner’s office said: “On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville.

“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.

“The Greenville County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and initiated a parallel investigation with the Greenville City Police Department.

“The decedent has been identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California. Panettiere was found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying.

“An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.

“The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. The manner of death has been ruled accident.

“This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.”

It was previously revealed that Hayden’s on/off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had handed first responders a bag of her prescription medications when they arrived at the apartment they had been staying at when she died.

round 150 of her friends and family members gathered at a church in Malibu, California, on Saturday (19.09.26) for a special celebration of life ceremony.

Hayden’s dad, Skip Panettiere, was in attendance but her estranged mother Lesley Vogel wasn’t there, though a source told TMZ that reports she hadn’t been invited were not true, she was simply unable to attend because of an unspecified family emergency.

The service was described as “emotional and beautiful” and saw Connie Britton and Charles Esten give speeches, while the Nashville actor also sang one of Hayden’s songs from their show, accompanied by a band at the church.

Among those in attendance were Paris Hilton, Evan Ross, Lennon Stella and Jonathan Jackson.

Hayden’s on/off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson – who were both present at the South Carolina Airbnb where she died – were not invited to the service.

But sources close to the brothers previously told TMZ Brian and Zach recognised the sensitivity surrounding the service and were not challenging the organisers’ decision to exclude them.

The sources added the brothers hoped the gathering would be a “beautiful celebration of Hayden, her life and her legacy”.

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