Hayden Panettiere died from accidental fentanyl overdose

Actress Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and other medications, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office in South Carolina.

A toxicology report found fentanyl and a chemical byproduct of the drug in Panettiere’s system, along with the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam, a muscle relaxant and another medication used to treat major depression and other serious mental health disorders.

Panettiere, known for her roles in “Nashville” and “Heroes,” died at age 36 on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. Emergency crews responded to a call and found her in cardiac arrest. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

Her intermittent partner, Brian Hickerson, was with her when she died and showed paramedics a bag containing medications she had been taking. Following her death, rumors circulated about Hickerson, who had previously faced domestic violence allegations involving Panettiere. He said there were no signs of violence and asked that the investigation be allowed to continue.