Hayden Panettiere’s Overdose Death Investigation Closed by Police

Actor Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled an accident and the case is now closed, police in South Carolina announced Wednesday.

via: Variety

“Based on the (coroner’s office’s) determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental. The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation,” the police department told media outlets.

The “Heroes” actress died Aug. 16 and a toxicology investigation concluded in September that the cause of death was the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and other drugs.

“The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine,” the coroner’s official statement said in September, adding that there were “no signs of trauma” that would have contributed to death.

Emergency services responded around 1:51 p.m. on Aug. 16 to a report of an “unresponsive female,” a police spokesperson said. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were present at the scene of her death at a rented loft, and Brian Hickerson spoke with investigators about who may have sold her the drugs.

However, both the coroner and the police have now concluded the overdose was accidental.

Her father, Skip Panettiere, announced her death with the statement, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”