American actress Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been officially confirmed, one month after she died at the age of 36.
Panettiere died on August 16, 2026, at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Her death was initially reported as a suspected drug overdose.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed that the actress died from the toxic effects of multiple substances, including fentanyl, and ruled her death accidental.
According to the coroner’s office, an autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death.
The substances listed as contributing to her death were fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
Alprazolam, commonly known by the brand name Xanax, is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant, while quetiapine, also known as Seroquel, is an antipsychotic medication. 4-ANPP is a chemical precursor used in the production of fentanyl.
Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were reportedly at the residence when she was pronounced dead.
The coroner’s office said the case has now been administratively closed.
Reports had previously suggested that Panettiere may have taken an oxycodone pill contaminated with fentanyl. Sources cited by TMZ also claimed she had obtained narcotics illegally from a drug dealer in Los Angeles.
Her representative had earlier urged the public to wait for the completion of the toxicology examination, describing reports based on unnamed sources as unverified and conflicting.
The representative said the family and those close to Panettiere were seeking clarity about the circumstances surrounding her death and asked that the investigative process be allowed to run its course.
