Hayden Panettiere death mystery deepens as autopsy finds ‘no trauma’

Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death remains undetermined after an autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to the Heroes and Nashville star’s sudden death at the age of 36.

The actress was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, 16 August, after an acquaintance called 911 at about 1.51pm.

Emergency medical crews found Hayden in cardiac arrest and performed advanced cardiac life support, but she was pronounced dead at 2.32pm.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said on Monday (17.08.26) the cause and manner of her death remain pending while additional studies are completed.

Greenville County coroner Mike Ellis said an autopsy had been performed and it found no trauma contributing to Hayden’s death.

Authorities have said the investigation remains active, while police previously reported finding no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Details have also emerged about the emergency response after the 911 call.

Dispatch audio obtained by media outlets included references to a possible “overdose” and cardiac arrest, although officials have not determined that an overdose caused Hayden’s death.

TMZ reported that Narcan – the opioid-overdose reversal medication naloxone – was found inside the residence, along with a device used to administer it.

The outlet also reported epinephrine, or adrenaline, was used during attempts to save Hayden.

The presence of Narcan does not establish a cause of death, which remains subject to the coroner’s investigation and further testing.

A neighbor identified by WYFF as Lee described hearing “just a bunch of commotion in the hallway” as emergency crews responded.

He said he initially heard that somebody had collapsed and subsequently heard references to cardiac arrest, but could not confirm what had happened inside the residence.

Hayden’s death was announced by her family through her representative.