Hayden Panettiere died from toxic combination of drugs as cause of death confirmed
Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has now been revealed after the actress was found unresponsive at a home in South Carolina last month.
The Nashville star, aged 36, had died of the 'toxic effects' of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Her death has also been ruled as an accident.
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, said in a report that 'officers responded to a report of an unresponsive female' at around 1.50 on 16 August and that the mum-of-one was found dead at the scene.
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Law enforcement have been rigorously investigating the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's untimely passing.
The preliminary findings of her autopsy were released in August, which confirmed that first responders arrived to find her suffering a cardiac arrest before administering life-saving measures, which were ultimately unsuccessful.
“The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine,” the coroner’s official statement said. “The manner of death has been ruled accident.”
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is 'mixed in with other illicit drugs to increase the potency of the drug'.
The star famed for roles in Heroes, Nashville and Scream 4, died in Greenville, South Carolina, with her father Skip Panettiere, confirming her death to ABC News.
The coroner's office previously released a statement explaining that 'no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death'.
Following her death, reports emerged suggesting that she had suffered an apparent overdose, with audio of the frantic 911 call made by one of her friends said to have included discussion of an 'overdose' and a 'cardiac arrest', People previously reported.
However the Greenville Police Department confirmed early in the investigation that no foul play was suspected in her death.
A statement read: “The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
"The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, who she shared with former fiancé and boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
The actress candidly discussed her battles with addiction and postpartum depression before her death and released a tell-all memoir in May, just weeks before her death, delving into her struggles.
Topics: Hayden Panettiere, US News, Entertainment
James Holt