Actress Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, 2026, and pronounced dead at the scene. She was 36.
According to a statement from the Greenville Police Department, officers, “accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female” at approximately 1:50 p.m. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said Panettiere had been “temporarily staying” at the residence when an acquaintance placed the 911 call.
“EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 p.m.,” the office said.
In the years after they broke up, Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson was still complicated even at the time of her tragic death. “Hayden and Brian have been on and off for years, but have pretty much always remained in contact,” a source exclusively shares with Us of the pair’s history prior to her […]
Police later confirmed that they were investigating the incident.
Scroll below for everything to know so far:
Hayden Panettiere’s Ex Brian Hickerson Was on the Scene
A police report obtained by Us revealed that Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the apartment complex where the actress’ body was found. Per the documents, Brian provided a “bag of medication” that Panettiere was “currently on.” According to the incident report, life-saving measures were performed on Panettiere for “an extended amount of time” before she was pronounced dead.
“After EMS officially declared Hayden deceased, I escorted Zach and Brian out of the apartment,” the police report stated. “I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.”
Days later, on August 19, 2026, two Greenville Police Department cars were seen outside a South Carolina property owned by the Hickersons’ grandmother.
“Greenville Police officers responded to a call for a welfare check at a home belonging to Brian Hickerson’s family on Wednesday morning,” a police statement shared with Us read. “The call is unrelated to the Hayden Panettiere death investigation and did not require an incident report.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Autopsy Results
Panettiere’s autopsy was completed on August 17, 2026.
“At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the coroner’s office said in a statement, adding that the cause and manner of death “remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
Greenville police also noted the “preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.” Panettiere’s body was released to a mortuary chosen by her family on August 18, 2026.
Dispatch audio obtained by outlets referenced an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest.” First responders attempted advanced cardiac life support, which, in addition to CPR, included special medicines, breathing tubes and heart rhythm tracking.
DEA Joins Investigation Into Hayden Panettiere’s Death
The New York Times reported on August 20, 2026, that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was looking into the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death.
A source familiar with the situation claimed to the outlet that Panettiere died after an apparent overdose led to cardiac arrest.
Us reached out to the DEA for comment at the time.
Hayden Panettiere’s Family Speaks Out
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, announced his daughter’s death in a statement shared via the actress’ rep.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Skip said at the time. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Hayden was the daughter of Skip and his ex-wife, Lesley Vogel, who also publicly mourned the Heroes alum. (Skip and Vogel also shared son Jansen, who died in 2023 at age 28 after an undiagnosed heart condition.)
“I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different,” Vogel told NBC News, in part, at the time. “I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
In addition to her parents, Hayden is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with ex Wladimir Klitschko. The pair got engaged in 2013 and welcomed Kaya in 2014 before separating in 2018. Hayden later gave up custody of Kaya as she battled postpartum depression and addiction — a decision she once called “absolutely one of the worst days of my life.”
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief. The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon,” Klitschko wrote via Instagram, mourning his ex. “To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Final Months
Hayden took a hiatus from acting in 2018 while struggling with postpartum depression and alcohol and opioid addiction. She entered treatment for a third time in 2020, spending eight months in rehab, and detailed her struggles in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.
Her final public appearance was on May 26, 2026, in West Hollywood at an event celebrating the publication of her memoir.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.