Greenville Police Rule Hayden Panettiere's Death Accidental and Close Investigation

Greenville, South Carolina, police said Wednesday that the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, 36, has been ruled accidental and that their investigation is closed. In a statement, the Greenville Police Department said the ruling was based on the medical examiner's determination and the findings of the investigation. Police were called on Aug. 16 to a Greenville residence over an unresponsive woman, and Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. An initial investigation showed no signs of foul play. About a month later, the Greenville County Coroner's Office said she died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and other drugs, including Xanax, and found no trauma that would have contributed to her death. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency reportedly joined the local inquiry, and it is unclear whether that investigation has ended.

The right-leaning Daily Caller gives the most scene detail. It names the Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road, says her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were present, lists five substances, gives the 2:32 pm pronouncement and mentions her memoir alleging abuse in that relationship. Fox News is much shorter: it leads with a segment on "The Story" and the police statement and leaves out those details. The left-leaning Rolling Stone, whose headline credits police, centers on the police statement and the coroner's autopsy findings, and omits the boyfriend and the memoir. Both sides report the ruling, the Aug. 16 date, her age and the lack of foul play. BBC News, in the alternative group, adds a distinct angle: it says it is unclear whether the DEA probe has concluded, notes the BBC contacted the agency, and mentions her openness about substance abuse and links to pieces on child stars and addiction.