New details are emerging in the death of Hayden Panettiere, though the official cause remains undetermined.
TMZ reports that dispatch audio from the emergency response to the actress’ Greenville, South Carolina residence includes responders referring to a possible overdose while CPR was underway. The outlet says a friend called 911 at approximately 1:51 p.m. Sunday after finding Panettiere unresponsive and in cardiac arrest.
Variety separately reported that officials can be heard discussing both an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” on the dispatch audio.
An official statement from the Greenville Police Department read: “[Officers] accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female” at around 1.50 pm. Sunday.
“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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Hayden Panettiere, star of ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville’ and ‘Scream,’ dies at 36
“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
That language does not amount to an official finding that Panettiere died from an overdose. The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are still investigating, and authorities have not released a final cause or manner of death. Police have also said their preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
The 36-year-old actress, best known for Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, died Sunday. Her family and representatives have asked for privacy as authorities continue their work.
Panettiere had spoken openly in recent years about addiction, postpartum depression and other difficult periods in her life, including in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. But until the coroner completes the investigation, those personal disclosures should not be used to draw conclusions about what caused her death.
