Hayden Panettiere, recognized for her roles in “Remember the Titans,” “Heroes,” and “Nashville,” was found unconscious at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. The tragic event involved Zach Hickerson, brother of her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, who initiated CPR before Panettiere was declared dead.
According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Panettiere’s death was declared as accidental. The cause was attributed to the “toxic effects” of several drugs, including fentanyl and alprazolam.
The autopsy revealed these substances contributed to her untimely passing.
On the day of her death, Zach Hickerson reported that she was not breathing and was instructed by the 911 operator to perform CPR while awaiting emergency services. It was also revealed by TMZ that Narcan had been administered in an attempt to counteract the opioid overdose.
Panettiere had been forthcoming about her struggles with addiction. In 2022, she disclosed to People magazine her history of opioid and alcohol abuse, which began in her teens. Her 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” further detailed her battles with addiction, postpartum depression, and recovery.
In an interview with Gayle King of CBS News, Panettiere expressed her intention to inspire others by sharing her truth. She emphasized the importance of embracing imperfection and conveyed her ongoing recovery journey. Her commitment to self-improvement was evident, as she noted the support of therapy in achieving better health.
Kiki Intarasuwan and Kerry Breen contributed additional insights to this report.
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