Hayden Panettiere’s body has been cleared for release to her family as investigators continue working to determine what caused the actress’ sudden death at 36. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed Tuesday that Panettiere’s body can be transferred once her family selects a funeral home.
However, officials cautioned that the toxicology results expected to provide answers about whether drugs or alcohol were present in the “Nashville” star’s system may not arrive for up to 12 weeks. The update comes after an autopsy was performed Monday, one day after Panettiere was found unresponsive inside a Greenville, South Carolina, Airbnb.
A representative for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office told The New York Post that toxicology testing typically takes between eight and 12 weeks to complete. The results could become available sooner or take longer, depending on the testing process.
Investigators are examining whether any drugs or alcohol were present in Panettiere’s system when she died. There is currently no evidence suggesting that she consumed illicit substances. Toxicology testing will be especially important because the initial autopsy did not identify any physical injuries that could explain her death.
“No signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” coroners said, emphasizing that the case had not been closed and that additional work was underway. “This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”
Until the laboratory testing is completed, Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death may remain undetermined.
The Actress Was Found Unresponsive At A South Carolina Airbnb
Panettiere was discovered unresponsive Sunday afternoon by an unidentified “acquaintance.” Authorities have not publicly confirmed that person’s identity.
Emergency personnel responded to the residence at approximately 1:50 p.m. The police report stated that arriving officers found “multiple EMS and firemen performing CPR” on the actress. Panettiere remained “unresponsive” and “did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive.” Despite the efforts of emergency workers, she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
Reported 911 audio indicated that Panettiere suffered cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose. However, that description does not constitute an official determination about what caused her death. Narcan was also reportedly found inside the residence where Panettiere died.
Investigators will need to consider the Narcan alongside the 911 audio, Panettiere’s medical history, her medications and the eventual toxicology findings before reaching a conclusion.
Brian Hickerson Provided Police With Her Medication
Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were also reportedly present at the Airbnb. According to police documents, Hickerson showed officers a “bag of medication” that Panettiere had been taking.
The medication list was redacted from the publicly available Greenville City Police Department report, but it appeared to contain nine different drugs. Authorities have not identified those medications or said whether any were found in Panettiere’s system. The existence of multiple medications does not mean they caused or contributed to her death. Toxicology testing will be needed to determine what, if anything, she had taken and in what quantities.
The reporting officer also documented the brothers’ behavior while medical personnel attempted to save Panettiere. Zach was described as “very emotional” while EMS workers “were working on Hayden.”
The documents reportedly indicated that Brian did not initially appear visibly upset as emergency personnel performed CPR. However, he reportedly broke down after Panettiere was pronounced dead.
Hayden Panettiere Spent Nearly Her Entire Life Onscreen
Panettiere began working in the entertainment industry before she turned one. She appeared in commercials at 11 months old and later secured roles on “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light.”
At age 9, she became one of the youngest performers nominated for a Grammy Award after voicing Princess Dot for a read-along album connected to Disney and Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life.” Panettiere continued working throughout her childhood, appearing in “Remember the Titans” at age 10. Her other movie credits included “Ice Princess,” “Racing Stripes,” “Bring It On: All or Nothing” and “I Love You, Beth Cooper.”
Hayden Panettiere Later Became A Television Star
She reached a wider television audience as Claire Bennet on “Heroes,” which premiered in 2006. Her character’s healing abilities became central to the show and its popularity. Panettiere later starred as Juliette Barnes on “Nashville,” portraying a successful country singer whose career unfolded alongside intense personal struggles.
She shared one daughter, Kaya, with her former fiancé, boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
