Hayden Panettiere’s Autopsy: “No Signs of Trauma” Contributed to Death

Aug 18, 2026 - 01:09

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Hayden Panettiere’s Autopsy: “No Signs of Trauma” Contributed to Death

After Hayden Panettiere’s tragic death at age 36, an initial autopsy report confirmed the Heroes actress had “no signs of trauma” contributing to her passing.

By Olivia Evans Aug 17, 2026 7:06 PM

| Updated 1 hour ago

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Hayden Panettiere's Autopsy Confirms "No Signs of Trauma" Contributed to Her Death

Some questions have been answered when it comes to Hayden Panettiere’s tragic death.

After the Heroes actress suddenly died at age 36 Aug. 16, an initial autopsy report confirmed “no signs of trauma" were discovered that would have contributed to her death.

“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and completion of additional studies,” an Aug. 17 press release from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, obtained by E! News, stated. “The investigation remains active and ongoing.”

Elsewhere in the report, authorities confirmed a woman—later identified as Panettiere—was reported to have cardiac arrest in a Greenville, South Carolina, residence on Aug. 16 at approximately 1:51 p.m. local time. Emergency services performed “advanced cardiac life support measures” but were unsuccessful. Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. local time.

A 911 call audio obtained by TMZ and People also shared that an emergency medical worker claimed they were called to Panettiere’s residence for an “overdose.”

Panettiere—mom to daughter Kaya, 11, with ex Wladimir Klitschko—recently published her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning in May, where she explored her struggles with sobriety following addiction and postpartum depression.

"I never want to stop evolving and changing for the better, and I’ll forever be a work in progress," the Ice Princess star wrote in her book, “but one thing I know from my 36 years in the public eye is this: Life is a process that evolves day by day, year by year—and like it or not—you are engaged in a cycle of growth until the moment you take your last breath."

Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic

Indeed, while Panettiere shared her team had initially encouraged her drug use to make her “more peppy” in interviews during her rise to fame, she shared it was also what “ruined” her career.

And that’s exactly why she came forward with her battle.

“I love being in a position now to be able to help people who are struggling with it still, and let know that there is a time, a period of time when you get over the hill,” Panettiere said in an interview with People in 2024. “It is there. Recovery is real. It can happen."

As she put it, “Long as you remember to stay on the same path, to stay sober and keep on doing those things that make you happy, make you feel healthy, make you laugh...you can be happier than you’ve ever been before in your life.”

For a look back at Panettiere’s life in photos, keep reading…

Photo by Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

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Photo by Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

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Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

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Photo by Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

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Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

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Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images