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Actress Hayden Panettiere’s death ruled accidental after toxicology shows fentanyl and multiple drugs; family and officials respond to findings.
Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive at a South Carolina residence and died of the toxic effects of fentanyl, alprazolam (Xanax) and other drugs, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said. The coroner ruled the death accidental and reported no trauma that would have contributed to her death.
Emergency responders began advanced cardiac life support measures but resuscitation was unsuccessful, according to the coroner’s findings. The office’s autopsy listed methocarbamol, a prescription muscle relaxant, and quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication, among the substances detected in her system.
The DEA joined the local police department’s investigation, the coroner’s office said. Panettiere, 36, had previously spoken publicly about struggles with substance abuse and had published a memoir months before her death in which she addressed addiction and postpartum depression.
The coroner’s report attributes Panettiere’s death to the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, alprazolam and additional medications listed in the autopsy. Emergency medical efforts were initiated but proved unsuccessful, and authorities noted no signs of external trauma. The DEA’s involvement was reported alongside the local police investigation.