Hayden Panettiere Suffered Apparent Overdose, Was Unresponsive as ‘Advanced Life Support’ Was Administered Before Death

The actress died at a residence in Greenville, S. Carolina, on Sunday, Aug. 16
By Latoya Gayle, Alex Ross, and Sean Mandell
Updated on August 17, 2026 02:07PM EDT

Need To Know

• Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive in South Carolina and pronounced dead despite advanced life support efforts
• Authorities are investigating her death but have found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances so far
• Panettiere was known for roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise

New details have been revealed about the last moments of Hayden Panettiere’s life.

Police officers and EMS personnel responded to reports of an “unresponsive female,” later identified as 36-year-old Panettiere, at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, at around 1:51 p.m. local time on Sunday, Aug. 16, the Greenville Police Department previously confirmed to PEOPLE.

According to dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, officials were heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death.

The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are leading the investigation into her death.

Hayden Panettiere on May 19, 2026. Raymond Hall/GC Images

“The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”

On Aug. 17, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office shared an update as to what happened when authorities answered the 911 call at approximately 1:51 p.m. on Aug. 16.

“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”

The individual was identified as Panettiere, who was “found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying.”

The statement also said that an autopsy was completed on Monday.

“At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” read the statement by coroner Mike Ellis. “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”

On Aug. 17, a source tells PEOPLE that Narcan was found at the scene. Narcan is a treatment designed to rapidly reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency.

Hayden Panettiere on September 10, 2022. Donato Sardella/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

After starring in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live in 1994, Panettiere had high-profile roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise.

She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter Kaya, shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

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