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Hayden Panettiere died from accidental overdose of drugs
The Heroes and Nashville actress was 36 when she was found unresponsive in a Greenville apartment on Aug. 16. Her death had remained under investigation for more than a month while authorities awaited toxicology results.
The coroner's findings, released Tuesday, officially establish both the cause and manner of Panettiere's death.
Multiple Drugs Found in Her System
According to the coroner's report, Panettiere's death was caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
Alprazolam is the generic name for Xanax, while methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant and quetiapine is a prescription medication commonly used to treat certain psychiatric conditions.
The coroner ruled the manner of death an accident, meaning there was no finding that Panettiere intentionally caused her death.
No Trauma Found
The autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to Panettiere's death, according to the coroner's office.
Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest at the Greenville residence on Aug. 16. Emergency responders attempted to revive her for more than 40 minutes, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The actress had been in Greenville with her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother at the time of her death, according to police records.
Investigation Into the Circumstances Continues
Although the coroner has now determined Panettiere's cause and manner of death, the Greenville Police Department says its investigation remains active.
Before the toxicology report was released, federal and local investigators had reportedly been examining where medications found in connection with Panettiere's death came from. Reports had specifically focused on a possible counterfeit oxycodone pill containing fentanyl.
Those earlier reports were not officially confirmed at the time, and Panettiere's representative urged the public to wait for the completed toxicology findings.
The coroner's report now confirms fentanyl was present, but it does not by itself establish how Panettiere obtained the drugs or whether a specific counterfeit pill was responsible.
A Career Cut Short
Panettiere became a familiar face to television audiences as a child before rising to international fame as cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes. She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville and appeared in the Scream film franchise.
In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere openly discussed addiction, grief and some of the personal struggles she experienced throughout her life.
Her death came shortly before her 37th birthday.
Family Continues to Mourn
The official finding brings clarity to one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding Panettiere's death, but her loved ones are still grieving the loss of an actress whose career began when she was a child.
While the coroner's case has reached an official determination, police say their investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death continues.
Source: NBC News
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