Hayden Panettiere’s death classified as accidental, investigation closed

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Actor Hayden Panettiere’s death has been officially classified as accidental, and the investigation has been closed, police in South Carolina announced on Wednesday.

Greenville police confirmed that the conclusion was based on the medical examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation.

Panettiere, 36, known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, was found unresponsive on Aug. 16 at an apartment complex in South Carolina where she was staying.

Last month, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that her death resulted from the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.

According to the coroner, there was no evidence of physical trauma that contributed to her death. Police had also previously reported finding no indications of foul play during their initial response or subsequent investigation.

Panettiere had spoken publicly about her struggles with addiction and had reportedly entered rehabilitation just weeks before her death, according to the coroner’s report.

Her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was at the apartment complex when she died. Police records state that he showed officers a bag of medication that he said she had been taking.

Following the release of the coroner’s findings, Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, described her daughter as a fighter. She said Panettiere had been open about her addiction struggles and repeated attempts at rehabilitation, which she viewed as evidence of her determination to lead a healthier life.

Vogel also said she had never heard her daughter mention fentanyl.