Greenville police have made a final ruling on the death of Nashville and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere.
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Police Rule Panettiere's Death Accidental
The police department revealed on Wednesday (October 28) that they concluded that the Nashville star's death was an accident.
"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," they said in a statement obtained by Variety on Wednesday.
Hayden was found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina rental property back on August 16. A toxicology report concluded that she died as a result of an overdose. After taking a mix of fentanyl, Xanax, and other drugs. Investigators believe that she took the fatal dosage before hopping on a flight to Greenville from Los Angeles. Along with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zachary Hickerson.
"The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, methocarbamol, and Quetiapine," the Greenville coroner said in a statement back in September. In addition, the coroner added that there were "no signs of trauma" found during the autopsy.
Both brothers spoke with investigators about a potential dealer who may have provided her with the drugs. But the investigation is now closed.
Fans React to Ruling on Star's Death
Even months after her passing, fans continued to demand answers about the investigation into the late actress on social media.
"This is so wrong, it shouldn't be closed because the drugs are from a drug dealer and they slipped fentanyl in there without her knowing about it!" one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Ruling it accidental after a fatal drug combination often overlooks the systemic issues. So what specific safeguards should be in place to prevent such outcomes?" a second user chimed in.
"Someone didn't "accidentally" give her the drugs. Doesn't seem like they are too worried about who was supplying her," a third user remarked.
Following Panettiere's passing, her father, Skip Panettiere, called her 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."
Hayden was 36 years old.
