Police Rule Hayden Panettiere’s Death Accidental as Investigation Concludes After Coroner’s Finding

Police Reach Their Decision

The Greenville Police Department said its investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death has concluded. In a statement shared via Good Morning America, the department said the medical examiner’s determination and the investigation’s findings supported an accidental ruling.

The coroner had previously classified the death as accidental, while police continued examining the case. Detectives said they were following leads and gathering information as they worked toward resolving it.

Medical Examiner Findings

Panettiere died in August at age 36. Her cause of death was determined to be the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.

People Reported At Residence

Reports said Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, and his brother Zach were at the scene as emergency medical workers tried to save her. Zach was reported to have found her unresponsive after entering the residence. He reportedly saw Panettiere on a chair in the living room.

Guardianship Request For Kaya

A month after Panettiere’s death, her ex-husband, Wladimir Klitschko, filed for temporary guardianship over their daughter Kaya’s estate. Kaya is a minor, and Panettiere’s estate is in probate.

Klitschko asked to be appointed Kaya’s guardian so he could file on her behalf and nominate a proposed administrator. The request was intended to protect Kaya’s rights to Panettiere’s estates.