‘Ice Princess’ Star Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Revealed

The report lists five substances found in her system, while a separate police account describes the scene inside the home where she had been staying. Her boyfriend and his brother were both present that day.

More than a month after her passing, Hayden Panettiere's cause of death has been revealed. The actress, best known for her roles in "Heroes," "Remember the Titans," and "Ice Princess," died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.

Hayden Panettiere attends Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's New Film "Blonde" at TCL Chinese Theatre on September 13, 2022 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

On Tuesday, September 22, the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed that her death was caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be used legally as a painkiller and anesthetic, while 4-ANPP is a chemical compound used in the illegal production of fentanyl.

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

Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax, is a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Methocarbamol, commonly prescribed as Robaxin, is a muscle relaxant.

Quetiapine, known by the brand name Seroquel, is an atypical antipsychotic medication that also works as a mood stabilizer.

Hayden Panettiere of Walt Disney Television's "Nashville" is a guest on "Good Morning America," on April 20, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

"On Aug.16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville," the coroner's office said in a new statement obtained by People.

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

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

"The Greenville County Coroner's Office responded to the scene and initiated a parallel investigation with the Greenville City Police Department. The decedent has been identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California," the statement continued.

"Panettiere was found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying. An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death."

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

The coroner's office further confirmed that Panettiere's body was released to her family on August 18 and transferred to a mortuary later that evening. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was with her when she died, along with his brother, Zach Hickerson.

According to a police report obtained by People, Brian showed officers a "bag of medication" the late actress had been taking. The report also noted that Zach was "very emotional," while Brian showed no visible emotion until the actress was pronounced dead.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson are seen on January 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Panettiere is survived by her only child, daughter Kaya, whom she welcomed in 2014 with her then-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko.

The former couple raised Kaya together for the first four years of her life, but in 2018, Panettiere made the "incredibly difficult" decision to give Klitschko full custody.

The actress opened up about that choice during a May 2026 episode of Jay Shetty's podcast "On Purpose," where she denied claims that she had "gave away" Kaya.

At the time of the custody change, Panettiere was seeking treatment for alcoholism, substance abuse, and postpartum depression.

"I mean, the idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking. Couldn't be farther from the truth," she said. "I think a misconception is that I have been, in the past, forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who has sought it out."