Hayden Panettiere’s Tragic Passing Highlighted by Coroner’s Report

Details of Hayden Panettiere’s Sudden Death

The Greenville County Coroner has confirmed that actress Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death was a tragic accident caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl and other substances. The 36-year-old was found unresponsive at a South Carolina apartment on August 16.

Frantic 911 Call Provides Insight

Panettiere’s final moments were captured in a frantic 911 call. Zach Hickerson, the brother of her on-and-off boyfriend, is heard desperately attempting to revive her. He initially discovered Panettiere unconscious upon returning to the apartment after church.

Zach is heard asking, Oh, God, oh, my God — you do like CPR or something? as he communicates with the dispatcher while trying to perform CPR with his brother Brian administering Narcan.

Emergency Response and Confirmation of Death

The dispatcher instructed Zach on how to perform CPR, conducting chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until emergency crews arrived. Despite these efforts, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

The coroner’s office specified that Panettiere had died from the effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The manner of her death was ruled accidental, with no signs of trauma present at autopsy.

Investigation Details

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was contacted to assist with the investigation. Hickerson had traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive. They had rekindled their relationship after a brief split in 2022.

Hayden Panettiere’s Impact and Struggles

Panettiere rose to fame for her role as Claire Bennett in the NBC drama Heroes. She openly discussed her struggles with postpartum depression in her memoir, providing personal insights into her challenges.