Hayden Panettiere’s body released to her family following autopsy

Hayden Panettiere’s body has been released to her family following an autopsy.

Hayden Panettiere’s body has been released to her family.

The Nashville actress passed away on Sunday (16.08.26) at an apartment in South Carolina at the age of 36, and after an autopsy was completed, her remains were released on Tuesday (18.08.26) and transferred to a mortuary that evening, it has been confirmed.

Earlier this week, an autopsy found “no signs of trauma” that had contributed to the Heroes star’s death.

A statement from Greenville County Coroner’s Office read: “An autopsy was completed today. 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. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”

The statement confirmed first responders had found the actress suffering a cardiac arrest when they arrived on Sunday afternoon.

It 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.”

It noted Hayden – who had 11-year-old daughter Kaya with former partner Wladimir Klitschko.

TMZ obtained dispatch audio of the call to emergency services, which appears to pick up officials discussing an “overdose”.

The short recording included one officer saying: “Responding. Overdose. CPR is in progress.”

After receiving the emergency call, paramedics rushed to the apartment and tried to resuscitate Hayden using “advanced cardiac life support”.

But after an hour, Ice Princess star Hayden was tragically pronounced dead at 2.32pm.

It later emerged her on/off boyfriend Brian Hickerson – who has served jail time for domestic violence incidents involving the Scream 4 actress – and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present when she died.

Hayden’s passing was confirmed by her father, Alan Panettiere, who hailed the actress as an “incredible light and a force of nature”.

Alan said in his statement: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. “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.”

Her father asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss”.