Hayden Panettiere’s Death: Police Report, Autopsy Findings, and Ongoing Investigation

On August 16, actress Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina apartment complex. First responders arrived around 1:50 p.m., performed advanced cardiac life support, and pronounced her dead at 2:32 p.m. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy on August 17, reporting no signs of trauma. The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation.

People Magazine

Panettiere, 36, was known for *Heroes* and *Nashville*. In recent years she discussed postpartum depression, addiction, and a turbulent relationship with Brian Hickerson, who was convicted of two felony counts of injuring a partner in 2021 after earlier arrests and a restraining-order request.

Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says

• May 2 2019 – Hickerson arrested on alleged domestic-violence charge.

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• July 14 2020 – Panettiere filed a restraining order against Hickerson.

Hayden Panettiere’s Ex-Boyfriend Was at Scene of Death, According to Police Report

• April 20 2021 – Hickerson pleaded no contest; sentenced to probation and brief jail time.

Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says

• August 16 – Panettiere found unresponsive; declared dead.

Daily Wire

• August 17 – Coroner’s office releases autopsy findings (no trauma).

Daily Wire

• Age at death: 36.

People Magazine

• Time of pronouncement: 2:32 p.m., roughly 40 minutes after responders arrived.

People Magazine

• Autopsy: No traumatic injuries identified.

Daily Wire

• Toxicology results: Pending, expected to take weeks.

Daily Wire

• The Greenville Police Department’s incident report notes that Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were present, called 911, and that Zach appeared “very emotional.” The report records that Brian showed officers a “bag of medication” the actress was taking; the medication list was redacted.

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• The Greenville County Coroner’s Office reiterated that the autopsy found no signs of trauma and that the investigation remains active.

People Magazine

• Dispatch audio obtained by outlets referenced an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest,” but no official cause of death has been confirmed.

People Magazine

• Some reports say a friend placed the 911 call, while the police report attributes the call to the Hickerson brothers.

Hayden Panettiere’s Ex-Boyfriend Was at Scene of Death, According to Police Report

• The exact medications in the “bag” remain undisclosed due to redactions, leaving a gap in understanding potential drug involvement.

New York Times

• Toxicology results have not been released, preventing a definitive conclusion about overdose versus other medical events.

Daily Wire

• “Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences,” — Wladimir Klitschko

Daily Wire

• “I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes,” — Lesley Vogel

NBC Los Angeles