The statement comes amid reports about the “Heroes” star’s death.

Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death remains pending amid investigation: coroner

The statement comes amid reports about the “Heroes” star’s death.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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September 15, 2026 9:33 a.m. ET

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Hayden Panettiere at the world premiere of ‘Scream VI’ at AMC Lincoln Square in New York in March 2023. Credit:

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty

- The Greenville County Coroner’s Office released an update amid new details emerging in the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death.

- *ABC News* and TMZ reported that there is a new focus is on what drugs Panettiere might have taken and where they came from.

- The *Heroes *actress died on Aug. 16 in South Carolina. She was 36.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office responded to comment amid the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death.

On Monday, Sept. 14, the coroner’s office told FOX Carolina: “We have not released anything at this time. We will send out an email release when ready.”

This update comes after new details into the investigation emerged that could point towards a potential cause of death for the actress who died on Aug. 16 at 36.

ABC News reported that the probe into Panettiere’s death has become a “cross-country investigation” between Los Angeles and South Carolina, where she died. Sources for the outlet stated investigators turned their focus onto what drugs could have been a part of her death, and their source.

Hayden Panettiere on her ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning’ book tour at Barnes and Noble in New York in May 2026.

Janet Mayer/Shutterstock

TMZ subsequently reported that Panettiere had a “long time drug dealer” in Los Angeles who reportedly sold her several prescription drugs including oxycodone. Sources for the outlet claim that Panettiere purchased the fatal drug during a flight from L.A. to S.C.

TMZ also alleged that the pill she took the morning she died could have been laced with fentanyl.

* *contacted the Greenville County Coroner’s Office and did not receive an immediate response.

Hayden Panettiere’s death is now part of a cross-country investigation: report

Ruby Rose shares somber texts reportedly from Hayden Panettiere before death

Per officials, when paramedics arrived at the scene on Aug. 16 at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex, they found Panettiere “unresponsive” and “in cardiac arrest.” They performed “advanced cardiac life support measures,” but were unable to resuscitate the actress.

Coroner Mike Ellis said on Aug. 17 that “an autopsy was completed,” and that there were “no signs of trauma” that “would have contributed to the death.”

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to* *on Aug. 18 that the results of the toxicology report could take up to eight weeks.

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Panettiere’s rep spoke out days after she died, asking people not to speculate what happened to the late actress. “Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about,” the rep told *Us Weekly*.

“It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”

Hayden Panettiere at the amfAR Gala in West Hollywood in November 2022.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

“If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact law enforcement rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you do not fully understand,” the statement continued.

“There is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served.”

*If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at **988lifeline.org** 24/7.*

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