Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 36. She was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at an apartment, where emergency personnel attempted resuscitation, authorities said.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death. Police said their preliminary investigation found no indications of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The cause and manner of death remain pending toxicology and other testing, and the investigation remains active.
Police records identify Panettiere’s on-again, off-again partner, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, as being at the apartment. Hickerson showed officers a bag of medication Panettiere was taking. The report does not establish whether medication, drugs or alcohol contributed to her death. The Drug Enforcement Administration joined the investigation, according to sources cited by ABC News, though officials have not publicly explained its role.
Panettiere began acting as a child, rose to prominence as Claire Bennet on “Heroes,” and earned two Golden Globe nominations for playing Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.” Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, was published in May.