Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation has been closed by police in Greenville, South Carolina, after authorities confirmed that the actor’s death was accidental.
The Greenville Police Department said Wednesday, October 28, that its investigation had concluded based on the medical examiner’s determination and the findings gathered by detectives.
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Hayden Panettiere: What police confirmed
Police said Panettiere’s death was ruled accidental and that the department had completed its investigation.
The announcement did not identify any criminal charges connected to her death.
The actor was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville on August 16, 2026.
Emergency responders were called to the Judson Mill Lofts, where life-saving measures were attempted before she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Panettiere was 36.
Cause of death included fentanyl
A report previously released by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death was the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
The coroner classified the manner of death as an accident and said no signs of trauma were found that contributed to the death.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, while alprazolam is commonly associated with the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant and quetiapine is a prescription medication used for several mental-health conditions.
The presence of multiple substances was included in the coroner’s toxicology findings, but the official manner of death remained accidental.
Federal questions remain separate
The police announcement closes the Greenville department’s investigation, but it was not immediately clear whether federal authorities had completed any separate work.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had previously said it could provide investigative or technical assistance in drug-related death cases, while declining to comment on a specific investigation.
That distinction means the local police case can be closed even if another agency has not publicly confirmed whether its review is complete.
Panettiere’s career and final months
Panettiere became widely known for playing Claire Bennet in the television series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
She also appeared in films including Remember the Titans and Scream VI.
In May 2026, she published the memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she wrote about addiction, postpartum depression, motherhood and the pressures of growing up in the entertainment industry.
Her death came after a period in which she had spoken publicly about recovery and her efforts to rebuild her life and career.
Her daughter, Kaya, is 11.
What happens next
The police ruling provides a formal conclusion to the local investigation into the circumstances of Panettiere’s death.
It does not change the coroner’s earlier finding that the death resulted from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and other substances.
Panettiere’s estate and the interests of her daughter have also been the subject of court proceedings in California.
Those proceedings are separate from the Greenville police investigation and concern the management and protection of her property.
Panettiere’s death has renewed attention on the risks of illicit or contaminated drugs, particularly substances that may contain fentanyl.
Anyone facing an overdose emergency should call 911 immediately.
In the United States, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Greenville police say about Hayden Panettiere’s death?
Greenville police said the death was accidental and confirmed that their investigation had concluded.
When did Hayden Panettiere die?
Panettiere died on August 16, 2026, after being found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina.
What was Hayden Panettiere’s official cause of death?
The coroner reported toxic effects involving fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
Were criminal charges announced in the case?
No criminal charges were announced when Greenville police said the investigation had been closed.
Could another agency still be investigating?
The Drug Enforcement Administration had previously acknowledged that it may assist in drug-related death investigations, but it had not publicly confirmed the status of any separate review.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against the Greenville Police Department’s official release and the previously reported Greenville County Coroner’s toxicology findings.
Disclaimer: This article reports official investigative and coroner findings and does not speculate about responsibility beyond what authorities have publicly confirmed.