The investigation into the death of American actor Hayden Panettiere remains open as authorities await toxicology and other test results, Greenville County officials said in an update reported Friday, August 21. Panettiere, known internationally for Heroes and Nashville, was 36 when emergency crews found her unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. Her representative said there was no additional information to share while the inquiry continued.
FOX Carolina reported that first responders reached the Judson Mill Lofts after a call at about 1:58 p.m. Medical personnel and firefighters attempted CPR, but officials pronounced Panettiere dead at the scene at 2:31 p.m. The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner's Office are jointly examining the circumstances. The coroner completed an autopsy on Monday and released her body to a mortuary on Wednesday.
Coroner Mike Ellis said Panettiere had no visible injuries or trauma. Preliminary findings have shown no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances, according to local authorities, but an official cause and manner of death have not been determined. Officials said the final assessment depends on toxicology and further testing, a process that can require additional time. Her representative emphasized that the investigation should be allowed to proceed.
The update follows national reports from the Associated Press and Reuters confirming Panettiere's death and the absence of initial evidence of foul play. AP reported that her father, Skip Panettiere, described her in a family statement as a powerful presence who brought joy to people who knew her and to audiences. The actor would have turned 37 on Friday, August 21, giving the latest procedural update particular poignancy for relatives, colleagues and fans.
Panettiere began working as a child and became widely recognized as Claire Bennet in NBC's science-fiction drama Heroes. She later portrayed country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, earning two Golden Globe nominations, and returned to film in Scream VI in 2023 after time away from acting. She also discussed the pressures of childhood fame, postpartum depression and alcohol addiction in her memoir released in May. Authorities have not linked those experiences to her death, and the inquiry will remain unresolved until the coroner issues official findings.
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