Hayden Panettiere has died — what we know about the Nashville actress’s cause
The cause remains a mystery as authorities await autopsy results in the wake of Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death at 36.
Emergency responders were dispatched to a home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16, after a friend called 911 about an unconscious woman, according to officials. The woman was identified as Hayden Panettiere, 36. First responders attempted to revive her with CPR and other measures, but she was pronounced dead at about 2:32 p.m. The identity of the caller has not been released.
What authorities say
The Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office are investigating. Authorities said there is no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances at this time. The official cause of death remains pending until the coroner completes an autopsy.
An autopsy is pending; the official cause of death has not been announced.
People reported that dispatch audio captured officials discussing an overdose and cardiac arrest around the time of the emergency call. Police have not confirmed those specifics or any particular life-saving procedures used by first responders.
Key details so far
- Call received: Approximately 1:50 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 16
- Location: Private residence in Greenville, South Carolina
- Response: Law enforcement and EMS attempted resuscitation, including CPR
- Time of death: About 2:32 p.m., per officials
- Status: No indication of foul play; autopsy and toxicology pending
- Caller: Not publicly identified
Panettiere had been a familiar face to TV and movie audiences for years, from NBC’s Heroes to ABC/CMT’s Nashville, and most recently the Scream franchise. She also spoke publicly in the past about her struggles with addiction and mental health, though investigators have not linked those issues to her death.
Officials said more information will be released once the coroner determines the official cause of death.