US Police Close Investigation Into Death of Actress Hayden Panettiere

The police department in Greenville, in the US state of South Carolina, has announced that it has completed its investigation into the death of Hollywood actress Hayden Panettiere. Police have classified the death as an accident, since the forensic examiner's office concluded that she died from an accidental drug overdose.

"Based on the findings of the medical examiner's office and the results of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled an accident. The Greenville Police Department has concluded its investigation," the department said in a statement.

What is known about the circumstances

Panettiere was found dead on 16 August in an apartment in Greenville, five days before her 37th birthday. In September, authorities said her death was caused by a toxic mixture of the opioid fentanyl and other narcotic substances. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had also taken part in the investigation.

When the actress was found, her heart had stopped, and paramedics were unable to revive her. According to a medical examiner's report obtained by CNN, she was found sitting cross-legged and face down, and her skin had turned purple.

Two men found her; police later identified them as Panettiere's friend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach. One of them gave her two doses of Narcan, a medication used in cases of opioid overdose. When she still did not respond, he called the 911 emergency line.

One of the men claimed he had not known about Panettiere using illegal drugs in her final days. The medical examiner's report states that "she was very good at hiding it."

Whether other investigations continue

Greenville Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Diana Munoz told CNN she could not comment on whether any other law enforcement agency is still investigating the circumstances of the actress's death.