Police close case on actress Hayden Panettiere's accidental death
Greenville officials confirmed the ruling Wednesday, ending a probe that began after she was found unresponsive in an apartment last summer.
By Eric Collins ·
The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina closed its investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere on Wednesday. The department ruled her death accidental based on findings from the medical examiner.
Panettiere, who was 36, died in August. Officers found her unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville. Emergency responders attempted to save her life before pronouncing her dead at the scene.
The investigation concluded more than a month after the Greenville County Coroner’s Office released its initial findings on September 22. That report identified the cause of death as an accidental overdose. The toxicology report listed five substances: fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine.
The coroner’s office noted that the autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. Fentanyl is the primary substance in the list that typically leads to overdose deaths. 4-ANPP is a byproduct of fentanyl production. Alprazolam, or Xanax, treats anxiety. Methocarbamol, or Robaxin, relaxes muscles. Quetiapine, or Seroquel, is an antipsychotic.
Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the apartment when police arrived. A police report confirms their presence. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration assisted local police during the initial phase of the investigation.
Sources familiar with the matter said the DEA’s work is still ongoing. That separate inquiry focuses on street-level dealers who may have supplied the drugs. ABC News reached out to a representative for Panettiere’s family for comment Wednesday.
Panettiere was known for her roles in Ice Princess, Heroes, and Nashville. She released a memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning in May. The book covered her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction, and recovery. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya. A memorial service for Panettiere took place in Malibu in September. Around 80 friends attended the gathering.
Source: WARH
