NEWS'Overdose': 911 Dispatch Audio Reveals Hayden Panettiere Was Found Dead at South Carolina Loft After Drug Induced 'Cardiac Arrest'
Hayden Panettiere was found dead at age 36 in her South Carolina home after a reported 'overdose.'
Aug. 17 2026, Updated 10:40 a.m. ET
Hayden Panettiere was found dead at age 36 by a friend after an "overdose" in her South Carolina home, 911 dispatch audio revealed.
The late Heroes star was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. on Sunday, August 16 — less than one hour after her friend called 911 and reported an “unidentified female" in "cardiac arrest."
According to Page Six, "CPR [was] in progress" within minutes. Despite emergency responders' attempts to resuscitate Panettiere at her apartment complex with "advanced cardiac life support" and chest compressions, she could not be saved.
Hayden Panettiere's 911 dispatch audio revealed an apparent 'overdose.'
Law enforcement sources told TMZ there are no signs of foul play at this time and that the circumstances surrounding her death did not appear suspicious.
It's unclear who placed the 911 call, though Page Six named Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, as the possible pal, as he flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina with the actress on Saturday, August 15.
Law enforcement sources claimed there were no signs of foul play surrounding the actress' death.
Panettiere and Hickerson were first linked in 2018, however, she recently admitted to him "abusing her" while promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which released back in May.
Panettiere's cause of death remains unknown, though TMZ reported the Greenville County coroner will perform an autopsy on Monday, August 17.
Hayden Panettiere's Rep Confirmed Her Death at Age 36
- Hayden Panettiere's Death: First Look at South Carolina 'Loft' Where Actress Was Found 'Unresponsive' After Suspected 'Overdose' — Photo
- Hayden Panettiere's Autopsy Showed 'No Signs of Trauma' After Suspected Overdose, Coroner Reports
- Hayden Panettiere Struggled to Walk and Used Crutches Due to Painful 'Nerve Damage' Months Before Death, Report Reveals
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Hayden Panettiere's rep confirmed her death in a sorrowful statement.
The Bring It On star's rep confirmed her passing in a statement to ABC News on Sunday, writing, "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden."
"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," the message continued.
Hayden Panettiere's Brother Jansen Died Suddenly in 2023
Hayden Panettiere's brother, Jansen, died suddenly in 2023 from heart issues.
The beloved movie star's death comes just three years after her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, devastatingly died at age 28 in February 2023 from cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) coupled with aortic valve complications. His passing was ruled to be from natural causes.
In her May 2026 memoir, Hayden reflected on the moment she learned of Jansen's heartbreaking death, recalling her father telling her, "Jansen’s dead. My boy is dead."
'When All Is Said and Done…I’ll See You Again'
Hayden Panettiere reflected on her brother's passing in her 2026 memoir.
Hayden honored Jansen in a social media tribute in February of last year, writing, "2 years ago today, I lost my little brother. This amazing human being touched the lives of so many. Especially mine. The pain isn’t quantifiable."
"I pray you’re in a beautiful place J. That you’re at peace and that when all is said and done…I’ll see you again. Rest easy brother. You are so missed and beyond loved," she concluded at the time.
