Hayden Panettiere’s Death: Details and Reactions

Zach Hickerson attempted CPR on actress Hayden Panettiere before she was declared dead, as revealed by a 911 call. Panettiere, recognized for her roles in ‘Remember the Titans,’ ‘Heroes,’ and ‘Nashville,’ was found unconscious at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. She died despite efforts by emergency services, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. She was 36.

Details of the 911 Call

The call recorded on the day of Panettiere’s death provided insights into the tragic event. Zach Hickerson stated that he had come to the couple’s home after church. He informed the 911 operator that Panettiere was not breathing. The operator asked if a defibrillator was available, to which Zach responded he was unsure.

The operator instructed him to start CPR, guiding him on chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until medical services arrived. Interestingly, Zach revealed to TMZ later that Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, which can counteract opioid overdoses, after discovering Panettiere unconscious.

Cause of Death

A toxic combination of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine was termed ‘accidental’ by the autopsy.

Panettiere’s Struggles and Advocacy

Panettiere had talked about her battles with substance abuse. In a 2022 interview with People magazine, she admitted to addiction to opioids and alcohol from her teen years. Her memoir, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning,’ released in 2026, delved into her addiction, experiences with physical abuse, postpartum depression, and the recovery journey.

During a CBS News interview with Gayle King in May, Panettiere expressed a desire to inspire others with her story. ‘I really wanted to share with the world that they don’t have to be afraid. That they can live their truth. They can be imperfect,’ she mentioned. On her personal well-being, she affirmed, ‘I’m better, healthier than I’ve been in a long time.’

Contributors to this report include Kiki Intarasuwan and Kerry Breen.