Hayden Panettiere had no signs of trauma as death probe continues
Hayden Panettiere reportedly travelled with her former partner just a day prior to her death. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere’s preliminary autopsy results reportedly showed “no signs of trauma” at the time of death, as further details have emerged following her passing at age 36 on Sunday, August 16.
A day after Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday at around 1:50 p. m., an autopsy was carried out, establishing that there were no indications of trauma which led to her death, according to Fox News Digital.
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“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement, as reported by the outlet. “EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
This follows reports that she had travelled to South Carolina with her former partner just a day prior to her death.
The Nashville actress was confirmed dead at the scene after emergency services attended and medical assistance had been administered, according to authorities, as previously reported by NBC News. Panettiere would have celebrated her 37th birthday on Friday, August 21, reports the Mirror US.
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The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department launched investigations into her death and have now published the initial post-mortem results. “At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office stated, according to Fox News.
“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies,” the statement added.
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time,” officials said.
Hayden Panettiere began her acting career as a toddler in commercials (Image: AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Before Monday’s post-mortem results, authorities told NBC on Sunday that “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
On Sunday, Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, issued a statement to ABC News concerning her death, saying, “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,” his statement continued.
She is survived by her 11 year old daughter, Kaya, whom she welcomed in 2014 with her former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
Panettiere began her on-screen career featuring in advertisements as a toddler and subsequently became most recognised for her performances in Heroes, Nashville, Bring It On: All or Nothing, Ice Princess, and The Amanda Knox Story, amongst other productions.
An autopsy on Monday showed “no signs of trauma” that contributed to the death of Hayden Panettiere (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Before her death, she had released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in May 2026.
The book provided an intimate insight into how entering the limelight at such a tender age influenced her life, her personal struggles with addiction, and more.
