Hayden Panettiere’s Death Ruled Accidental by South Carolina Police

The Greenville Police Department announced Wednesday that they were closing the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death. “Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental,” they said in a statement obtained by Entertainment Weekly. “The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation.”

Panettiere died in Greenville on August 16, days before her 37th birthday. EMS found her “in cardiac arrest” per the coroner’s report. They tried to resuscitate the actress, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. The autopsy found she had died of “toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam [Xanax], Methocarbamol [a prescription muscle relaxant], and Quetiapine [Seroquel].”

Panettiere was with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach at the time of her death. In her memoir, she describes leaving Hickerson after the relationship turned abusive. He was arrested several times for domestic violence while they were together. “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Hickerson’s lawyer said in a statement in August. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”