Death of US actress Hayden Panettiere ruled accidental, ending local police probe

What the report says

South Carolina police say the death of US actor Hayden Panettiere has been ruled accidental, closing a local investigation into the 36-year-old’s August death. BBC World News reported that the Greenville Police Department reached its conclusion after reviewing the medical examiner’s findings, which attributed her death to the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and other drugs in her system.

Panettiere, best known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, was found unresponsive at a residence in South Carolina on 16 August. According to the BBC’s report, the local coroner had already determined last month that she died from an accidental drug overdose and found no signs of trauma contributing to her death. The coroner also identified other substances, including the prescription medications methocarbamol and quetiapine.

Police said their investigation had ended based on the medical examiner’s determination and the evidence gathered. The BBC noted that the US Drug Enforcement Agency was also reportedly involved in looking into the circumstances, but it is unclear whether that separate inquiry has concluded. Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about struggles with substance abuse, adding context to the case.

The case is notable because it highlights the continuing impact of fentanyl-related deaths in the US and the scrutiny that often follows unexpected deaths involving multiple drugs.