Death of US actress Hayden Panettiere ruled accidental, ending local police probe
Police in South Carolina have officially ruled the death of actress Hayden Panettiere as accidental following a drug overdose. The investigation, which involved the DEA, concluded that the presence of fentanyl and other substances caused her death.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing public health crisis surrounding synthetic opioid abuse in the United States.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Police in South Carolina, where Hayden Panettiere died in August, say they have concluded their investigation into her death
The death of US actress Hayden Panettiere has been ruled accidental, ending a local probe in her death, police in South Carolina have said.
The Heroes and Nashville star died in August from the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and several other drugs in her system, at the age of 36.
Citing the medical examiner's report last month that found Panettiere died from a drug overdose, the Greenville Police Department said it had "concluded its investigation" into her death.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reportedly joined a local police probe. It is unclear if that investigation has also concluded. The BBC has contacted the DEA for comment.
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