Hayden Panettiere Reportedly Suffered ‘Overdose’ and Was Found Unresponsive by an ‘Acquaintance’

Police and coroner reports are now offering a clearer picture of the moments leading up to the actress's death. Investigators say toxicology results are still pending as they work to determine an official cause.

New details surrounding beloved actress Hayden Panettiere's death have come to light. The "Nashville" alum was confirmed to have tragically passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026. She was 36.

Hayden Panettiere on "Today" on September 24, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

According to the Greenville Police Department, officers and EMS personnel responded to calls about an "unresponsive female" at a Greenville, South Carolina, residence at around 1:51 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

According to dispatch audio obtained by People, officials were heard discussing an "overdose" and "cardiac arrest" around the time of Panettiere's death.

"The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances," a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said in a statement. "An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call."

Hayden Panettiere is seen on May 19, 2026 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

On Monday, August 17, the Greenville County Coroner's Office released further details on what unfolded when authorities answered the 911 call at approximately 1:51 p.m. the day before.

"First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest," the statement read. "EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM."

The individual was identified as Panettiere, who was "found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying." The statement also noted that an autopsy was carried out on Monday.

Hayden Panettiere is seen on September 24, 2024 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

"At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death," read the statement from coroner Mike Ellis.

"The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time," he continued.

A source also revealed on Monday that Narcan was discovered at the scene. Narcan is a treatment designed to rapidly reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency.

Hayden Panettiere attends the world premiere of Paramount's "Scream VI" at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on March 6, 2023 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Panettiere rose to stardom as a child, appearing in the soap opera "One Life to Live" from as young as five years old. She went on to star alongside Denzel Washington in "Remember the Titans" and lent her voice to Princess Dot in Pixar's "A Bug's Life" (1998).

Among her career-defining roles was Claire Bennet in the fantasy series "Heroes" and Juliette Barnes in "Nashville" opposite Connie Britton. Beyond her onscreen work, the actress also pursued a music career. She was just days shy of turning 37, with her birthday falling on August 21.

Hayden Panettiere poses for a portrait at Casa Del Mar on June 27, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Since news of her death broke, fresh insight into her final hours has emerged. According to TMZ, the actress had flown to South Carolina from Los Angeles on Saturday, August 15, before holing up in an apartment.

Panettiere was joined on the flight by her on-and-off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Sometime after landing, the pair arrived at a home inside the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville.

Page Six confirmed the unit is an Airbnb, though sources told TMZ that Brian and his brother were the ones actually living there. A resident of the complex told Page Six that Panettiere appeared to remain inside the unit throughout her stay.

"I was shocked, as I'm sure everyone in Greenville was, to find out she was here," the neighbor said. "I don't know that she was there long, and I'm not sure she even ever left the apartment."

The tenant also said they never once saw her step outside. "I can only speak for myself, but you know, I never saw her [and] I haven't spoken to anyone else that said they have," the neighbor said.

Panettiere is survived by her mother, Lesley Vogel, and was preceded in death by her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28 from complications related to enlarged heart syndrome. She also leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.