Coroner Reveals New Details Surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s Death

The Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed an autopsy was completed just one day after the "Heroes" star was found unresponsive inside a South Carolina residence.

A coroner has revealed new details surrounding the tragic death of beloved actress Hayden Panettiere, one day after the "Heroes" star was found unresponsive in Greenville, South Carolina.

"An autopsy was completed today. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death," read the statement from coroner Mike Ellis, released Monday, August 17.

"The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time," he continued.

Ellis's statement also detailed what first responders encountered when they answered the 911 call at approximately 1:51 p.m. on Sunday, August 16. "First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest," it read.

"EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM," the statement went on.

The individual was later identified as Panettiere. She had been "found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying."

A representative for Panettiere confirmed news of her passing on Sunday night, sharing a statement on behalf of her father, Alan Panettiere.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," the statement read. "She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen."

Panettiere rose to stardom as a child, appearing in the soap opera "One Life to Live" from as young as five years old. She later starred alongside Denzel Washington in "Remember the Titans" and lent her voice to Princess Dot in Pixar's "A Bug's Life" (1998).

Among her career-defining roles was Claire Bennet in the fantasy series "Heroes" and Juliette Barnes in "Nashville" opposite Connie Britton. Beyond her onscreen work, the actress also pursued a music career.

She was only 36 when she died, just days shy of what would have been her 37th birthday on August 21.

Since news of her death broke, additional insight into her final hours has come to light. According to TMZ, the actress had flown to South Carolina from Los Angeles on Saturday, August 15, before holing up in an apartment.

Panettiere was joined on the flight by her on-and-off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Sometime after landing, the pair arrived at a home inside the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville.

Page Six confirmed the unit is an Airbnb, though sources told TMZ that Brian and his brother were living there. A resident of the complex told Page Six that Panettiere appeared to stay inside the unit throughout her time there.

"I was shocked, as I'm sure everyone in Greenville was, to find out she was here," the neighbor said. "I don't know that she was there long, and I'm not sure she even ever left the apartment."

The tenant also noted they never saw her step outside. "I can only speak for myself, but you know, I never saw her [and] I haven't spoken to anyone else that said they have," the neighbor said.

Panettiere is survived by her mother, Lesley Vogel, and was preceded in death by her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28 from complications related to enlarged heart syndrome. She also leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.