Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for "Heroes" and "Nashville," died Sunday at age 36 after suffering cardiac arrest at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities have not determined her cause or manner of death, and additional testing is still pending. The death comes months after Panettiere publicly discussed addiction, mental health struggles, postpartum depression and domestic abuse in a memoir. Her career had also been gaining momentum, with her latest film released in January.
What Happened at the South Carolina Apartment
The Greenville County coroner's office said emergency responders were called at about 1:51 p.m. Sunday following a report of cardiac arrest. Panettiere, a California resident, had been temporarily staying at the apartment complex. First responders found her in cardiac arrest and attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m. Police identified the location as the Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road in Greenville. Dispatch audio referenced a possible overdose, but authorities have not confirmed that an overdose occurred.
Investigators Await the Cause of Death
An autopsy performed Monday found no signs of trauma that contributed to Panettiere's death, according to the coroner's office. Her official cause and manner of death remain pending additional testing. Toxicology results can take weeks to complete in death investigations. Panettiere's body was released Tuesday night to the mortuary selected by her family. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has also joined the investigation, according to the source material, although authorities have not publicly explained what prompted the agency's involvement.
Who Called 911?
A police report states that brothers Brian Hickerson and Zach Hickerson told an officer they had called 911. The officer wrote that Zach Hickerson identified Panettiere as his brother's girlfriend. Brian Hickerson also showed the officer a bag containing Panettiere's medications. Parts of the police report are redacted, including information about the medications. The available material does not establish whether any medication played a role in Panettiere's death.
Panettiere Had Recently Spoken About Her Struggles
Panettiere had spent much of 2026 discussing difficult periods in her life. Her memoir, published less than three months before her death, described struggles with addiction, mental health and an abusive relationship. She wrote that a relationship that initially seemed exciting eventually became violent. Panettiere described repeated incidents in which a man identified in the memoir as "Brian" slapped and hit her. She also wrote that he sometimes became violent during arguments involving alcohol.
Her History With Brian Hickerson
In 2019, a Brian Hickerson was convicted in Los Angeles County of two felony charges involving injury to a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent. He received four years of formal probation, according to the Superior Court of Los Angeles County Clerk's Office. Panettiere's memoir described several occasions when "Brian" was arrested following alleged violence against her, including an incident on Valentine's Day in 2020 while the couple was in Wyoming. In a May 2026 interview, Brian Hickerson acknowledged that he had been drinking and became physical with Panettiere during the 2020 incident. He also said the domestic violence section of her memoir was his chapter.
A Career That Was Starting Again
Panettiere became widely known after playing a cheerleader on NBC's "Heroes." She later starred in "Nashville" and became a familiar figure in television and film. Her career had begun moving forward again this year. She released a memoir, spoke publicly about personal losses and appeared in a film released in January. Her death has therefore come at a moment when she was publicly addressing her past while also returning to professional work.
What Comes Next
The investigation remains open as authorities await additional testing, including toxicology results. The official cause and manner of death have not yet been established. The DEA's reported involvement adds another element to the investigation, but authorities have not publicly said what role federal drug investigators are playing. Until the pending testing is complete, questions about what caused Panettiere's cardiac arrest remain unanswered.
FAQ
How did Hayden Panettiere die?
Hayden Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m. Her official cause and manner of death have not been determined.
How old was Hayden Panettiere when she died?
Hayden Panettiere was 36 years old.
Has Hayden Panettiere's cause of death been determined?
No. An autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, while additional testing and toxicology results remain pending.
Was Hayden Panettiere's death confirmed as an overdose?
No. Dispatch audio referenced a possible overdose, but authorities have not confirmed that an overdose occurred.
Is the DEA investigating Hayden Panettiere's death?
The source material says the DEA has joined the investigation. Authorities have not publicly explained the agency's role or what prompted its involvement.
