Hayden Panettiere’s Passing: Circumstances and Impact

Zach Hickerson, brother of Brian Hickerson, attempted CPR on actress Hayden Panettiere before she was pronounced dead. The revelation came from a 911 call. Panettiere, known for roles in “Remember the Titans,” “Heroes,” and “Nashville,” was discovered unconscious at her residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. Zach and Brian Hickerson found her, as confirmed by a police report and 911 call obtained by CBS News.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office stated that despite applying “advanced cardiac life support measures,” Panettiere could not be revived. She was 36 years old. According to an autopsy, her death was accidental, caused by the toxic effects of drugs including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine.

In the 911 call, Zach Hickerson said he arrived at the couple’s home after church and found Panettiere not breathing. The operator instructed him to perform CPR, providing guidance on chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth until medical help arrived. Zach later mentioned to TMZ that Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medication, after finding Panettiere unconscious.

Panettiere had spoken about her struggles with substance abuse. In a 2022 People magazine interview, she admitted to opioid and alcohol addiction starting in her teens. Her 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” detailed her journey with addiction, abuse, postpartum depression, and recovery. She shared with CBS News’ Gayle King her hope that her story would inspire others to live authentically and without fear. In the interview, she emphasized her ongoing personal growth and improved health through therapy.

Kiki Intarasuwan and Kerry Breen also contributed to this report.