South Carolina police close Hayden Panettiere death investigation after accidental ruling
Police in Greenville have closed their investigation into Hayden Panettiere's death, following a coroner's finding that she died from an accidental drug overdose involving fentanyl.
By Hushread Stories, from 8 outlets · First published 28 Oct 2026
In brief
- South Carolina police announced Wednesday that Hayden Panettiere's death was accidental and their investigation is now closed.
- The Greenville Police Department based its conclusion on the coroner's determination and the findings of its investigation.
- A coroner previously determined that Panettiere died from an accidental drug overdose that included fentanyl.
- The police announcement followed a coroner's report issued last month that had already classified her death as accidental.
- The available coverage identifies no pending investigative steps following the police department's decision to close the case.
Timeline · 1 moments
Police announce accidental ruling and close Panettiere investigation
NBC News ↗How it started
Hayden Panettiere's death prompted an investigation by the Greenville Police Department in South Carolina. Police have now formally closed that investigation, Deadline Hollywood reported.
The medical finding preceded the police announcement. A South Carolina coroner had determined that Panettiere died from an accidental drug overdose that included fentanyl, according to CBS Top Stories.
How it unfolded
The coroner's report ruled the death an accident in September, a month before the police announcement, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
On Wednesday, October 28, police announced that Panettiere's death had been ruled accidental and that the case was closed, NBC News reported.
The department's conclusion drew on both the coroner's determination and the findings of the police investigation, according to Variety Movies. The announcement therefore marked the end of the police inquiry, rather than the first finding that the death was accidental.
Where it stands
The Greenville investigation is officially closed, according to Deadline Hollywood. The available coverage identifies no further investigative steps or scheduled announcements.
The reports establish the accidental overdose finding and fentanyl's involvement, but the supplied coverage gives limited detail about the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death.
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