Police in Greenville, South Carolina, have formally ruled Hayden Panettiere's death an accident, closing a two‑month investigation after a coroner found the 36‑year‑old actress died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and a cocktail of prescription drugs in a rented apartment in the city.

The Greenville Police Department confirmed the decision on Wednesday. 'Based on the Medical Examiner's determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled accidental,' it said. 'The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation.'

The Heroes and Nashville star was 36 when she died on 16 August, days before her 37th birthday. No charges have been filed.

What the Coroner Found in Hayden Panettiere's Fentanyl Death

The Greenville County Coroner's Office announced its findings on 22 September. It said the cause of death was the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4‑ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine, and that the manner of death was accident.

The coroner also reported no signs of trauma. Police had earlier said a preliminary inquiry showed no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, while 4‑ANPP is a precursor chemical used in its production. Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax, is a benzodiazepine prescribed for anxiety. Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant and quetiapine is an antipsychotic.

The US Food and Drug Administration warns that combining opioids with benzodiazepines can cause profound sedation and dangerously slowed breathing.

The coroner's statement did not say whether any of the drugs were counterfeit or how they were obtained. CNN reported that investigators had examined whether Panettiere obtained illicit and possibly counterfeit drugs from a dealer in Southern California.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration had also been involved in the inquiry. It is not clear whether the federal investigation continues.

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Events of 16 August in the Greenville Apartment

Emergency services received a 911 call at about 1.51 pm reporting a cardiac arrest at the Judson Mill Lofts, on Easley Bridge Road, where Panettiere had been staying in a rented apartment. She was found on a sofa bed.

Medics were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead shortly after 2.30 pm. The coroner's office attended the scene and opened a parallel investigation with the city police.

Her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were at the scene, according to a police report. Police said Mr Hickerson showed officers a 'bag of medication' that Panettiere had been taking.

In September, before the toxicology results were released, her representative described speculation about the cause of her death as 'unverified hearsay'.

Hayden Panettiere's Career and Personal Life

Panettiere rose to global fame as the cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's Heroes and later played the country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville. Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Ice Princess, Bring It On: All or Nothing and the Scream franchise.

She had a daughter, Kaya, now 11, with the former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Her younger brother, the actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023.

Anyone concerned about their own or someone else's substance use can contact the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline on 1‑800‑662‑4357.

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