Hayden Panettiere's drug death at 36 ruled accidental as police close investigation into star's overdose

Hayden Panettiere's ex's dangerous new collision course: Friends fear for 'f***ked up' Brian Hickerson as he is caught on film in new crash asserted

- Get exclusive reporting, celebrity gossip, sensational photos and more every Tuesday morning in our new Spotlight US newsletter HERE Hayden Panettiere's death at age 36 from a drug overdose has been ruled accidental, police confirmed on Wednesday, two months after her shock passing. asserted

The Greenville Police Department said in a statement: 'Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental.' asserted

The ruling brings the police investigation into her death to a close, the statement obtained by CNN said. asserted

Panettiere died August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. asserted

Her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were both at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead. asserted

Last month, a spokesman for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to The Daily Mail that Panettiere died from the 'toxic effects' of multiple drugs – including fentanyl. asserted

Just a few grains of powerful opioid fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, can cause a fatal overdose. asserted

Hayden Panettiere's death at age 36 from a drug overdose has been ruled accidental, police confirmed on Wednesday, two months after her shock passing. asserted

Pictured in 2022 in LA Her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were both at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead - pictured 2018 A spokesman said: 'An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. asserted

At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death. asserted

The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. asserted

The manner of death has been ruled accident. asserted

This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. asserted

' Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant used to treat short-term muscle pain, while Quetiapine, commonly known by the brand name Seroquel, is an antipsychotic prescription medication used to treat conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. asserted

Alprazolam, known as Xanax, is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and 4-ANPP is a chemical used as a main building block to make illegal fentanyl. asserted

Last week, insiders told TMZ authorities believed Panettiere had fatally consumed a single oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl. asserted

Panettiere had a 'long time drug dealer' in Los Angeles who she obtained narcotics from illegally, with oxycodone among them, sources told the outlet. asserted

Authorities said that the day prior to her passing, Panettiere had taken multiple drugs she bought in Los Angeles before flying to South Carolina, where she was found dead the next day. asserted

Of Panettiere (Above, in Hollywood September 2022), the Greenville Police Department said in a statement: 'Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental' asserted

Panettiere was found 'unresponsive' at the Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina The ruling brings the police investigation into her (Above, in Franklin, Tennessee in December 2012) death to a close, the statement obtained by CNN said Panettiere's rep said in a statement last month: 'As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner's Office, Hayden's death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise. asserted

Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.' The statement continued: 'While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold.' uncertain

The late Heroes star's rep concluded in saying that 'the answers we are all seeking will come.' asserted

On the day she died, first responders arrived at a Greenville, South Carolina, condo where attempts were made to resuscitate the actress, before she had been pronounced dead. asserted

Hickerson's lawyer Sloan Ellis said in a statement August 20 that 'Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. ' asserted

As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. asserted

Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.' Hickerson and Panettiere, who had been linked since 2018, had a stormy history in which he had been convicted of domestic abuse in connection with their relationship. asserted

Panettiere is survived by a daughter, Kaya, now 11, who shares with ex-fiance Wladimir Klitschko – pictured 2011 In 2018, when her daughter Kaya was three, she signed full custody to her ex amid her battle with postpartum depression and addiction and Wladimir moved their daughter to his native Ukraine In April 2021, Hickerson entered pleas of no contest to a pair of felony counts of domestic abuse in an agreement after he was initially charged with eight counts of domestic violence, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery and corporal injury, in Los Angeles in July of 2020. He received a 45-day jail sentence and probation for four years from the court, which ordered him to complete classes on domestic violence following the pleas of no contest. The other charges were subsequently dropped following the pleas, and Panettiere had been issued a protective order spanning five years, which had expired earlier this year. asserted

Panettiere put out a statement in 2020 saying she hoped she could serve as an example for others in a similar situation. ' uncertain

I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me,' she said, 'in the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve.' asserted

Panettiere in her memoir said she had not wanted 'to be a spokesperson for domestic violence,' adding: 'I never wanted to call myself a victim, but here I am.' asserted

She said in the book: 'It’s part of my story whether I want it to be or not. asserted

So, I’ll lay it all out here: seven years of mental illness, addiction, rage, abuse and pain in just a few pages. asserted

'You never forget the first time someone slaps you nor do you forget the last ... the slaps become hits.' asserted

The late actress was pictured promoting This Is Me: A Reckoning at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble, where sources said she instructed the venue to keep Hickerson away This past May, Hickerson spoke with TMZ about past instances of domestic violence and abuse in his relationship with the actress, which she detailed in her memoir. uncertain

'I got arrested for abusing her, and I wouldn't blame her friends for being pissed off with me, so I don't really have much to say on that,' said Hickerson, who was first linked to the late actress in 2018. asserted

'You never lay hands on a woman, bottom line. asserted

Hickerson detailed a horrifying story that Panettiere wrote about in her memoir. asserted

He said: 'There’s a story where I was drunk, right? asserted

Hayden was standing across the room and I had a phone in my hand and I said, "Hayden, I’ll give you 10 seconds to run as fast as you can before I throw it at you." asserted