Dispatch audio references a possible overdose and cardiac arrest, but officials have not determined the 36-year-old actress’ cause of death.
GREENVILLE, SC — Newly released 911 and emergency dispatch audio is providing more information about the response to actress Hayden Panettiere’s death, including references to cardiac arrest and a possible overdose, as authorities continue investigating what caused her death.
Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive Sunday, Aug. 16, at a residence in Greenville where authorities said she had been temporarily staying. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest was received at about 1:51 p.m. First responders and emergency medical personnel found Panettiere in cardiac arrest and began advanced life-support measures, but she could not be revived. She was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
The emergency audio released Monday adds detail to the initial response but does not establish how Panettiere died. Dispatch communications reviewed by news organizations included references to an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” as responders were sent to the scene. Authorities have not announced that an overdose caused her death, and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said the official cause and manner remain pending.
An autopsy was completed Monday. Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis said no signs of trauma were found that would have contributed to Panettiere’s death. Ellis said additional studies were needed and that the investigation remained active. The coroner’s findings leave the central question surrounding Panettiere’s death unresolved while investigators await further testing.
The Greenville Police Department said officers and EMS personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at about 1:50 p.m. Sunday. Police said medical assistance was provided after responders arrived, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation found no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances, according to the department. Police said an acquaintance of Panettiere placed the emergency call.
The distinction between the dispatch terminology and the official investigation is significant. A description used during an emergency response can reflect information available to dispatchers or responders at that moment and is not a final medical finding. As of Monday, the coroner had not determined whether drugs, a medical condition or another factor caused Panettiere’s death.
Panettiere became widely known for playing Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with regenerative powers, on NBC’s “Heroes.” She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes on the musical drama “Nashville,” a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations. Her film credits included “Remember the Titans,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.” She began working as a child actor and also voiced Dot in Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life.”
Earlier this year, Panettiere released the memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she discussed growing up in the entertainment industry, postpartum depression and her past struggles with alcohol addiction. Those disclosures are part of her public history, but authorities have not said they establish the cause of her death. Panettiere’s family confirmed her death through her publicist and described her as someone who brought love and joy to people who knew her and to those who watched her work.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 from complications related to an enlarged heart and an aortic-valve condition, according to the family. Panettiere’s most recent film appearance was in the psychological thriller “Sleepwalker,” released in January.
The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are continuing their investigations. Officials have not announced when the additional studies will be completed, and the cause and manner of Panettiere’s death remained pending Monday.
Author note: Last updated August 17, 2026.