Case Closed in Death of Hayden Panettiere After Accidental Ruling
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, have officially closed their investigation into the death of actor Hayden Panettiere after authorities ruled her passing an accident. The determination delivers definitive legal findings to entertainment industry observers, legal analysts, and members of the public following months of speculation regarding the circumstances of her death.
Medical Examiner Findings Prompt Official Case Closure
Sgt. Diana Munoz of the Greenville Police Department confirmed the investigation’s closure based on the medical examiner’s determination and gathered evidence. Panettiere, widely recognized for her roles in *Heroes* and *Scream 6*, was found unresponsive on August 16 at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, days before her 37th birthday. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office officially classified her death as an accident on September 22. Although her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were present at the location on the day she died, law enforcement confirmed neither individual faced charges in connection with the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration joined the probe on August 20, searching Panettiere’s residence nine days after her passing as part of the agency’s review into potential substance involvement.
In May 2026, months prior to her death, Panettiere addressed her personal health struggles in her memoir, *This Is Me: A Reckoning*, which became a *New York Times* bestseller.
