Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death has left fans searching for answers, but authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the actress to die at 36.

Panettiere was found unresponsive at a home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. Police and emergency medical workers responded to a call about an unresponsive woman at around 1:51 p.m.

According to officials, first responders found Panettiere in cardiac arrest and immediately began advanced life-saving treatment. Their efforts were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

Police said an acquaintance made the 911 call.

So far, investigators have found no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy was also performed as officials work to determine the official cause and manner of death.

What happened to Hayden Panettiere?

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said emergency crews found Panettiere in cardiac arrest when they arrived at the home where she had been temporarily staying.

Although medical teams attempted to revive her, she could not be saved.

Reports also said dispatch audio included a discussion of a possible overdose. However, that does not mean an overdose has been confirmed as the cause of death.

Officials have not announced a final cause of death, and additional medical testing is still expected to provide more answers.

Panettiere’s publicist previously said an investigation was ongoing and that officials expected to know more soon.

Panettiere had reportedly experienced health problems

In the months before her death, Panettiere had reportedly been dealing with back pain and other health issues.

Reports noted that she had complained of back pain during the previous year, while footage that circulated online appeared to show her having some difficulty walking.

However, there is currently no confirmed connection between those reported health problems and her death.

Panettiere also canceled a scheduled appearance at Creep I.E. Con in July because of what her representatives described at the time as a private family matter involving the health of an elderly relative.

Whether any of those circumstances were connected to her death remains unknown.

Her final trip raises questions

Another detail that has emerged is that Panettiere reportedly traveled out of Los Angeles on Saturday, August 15, just one day before she died.

She was reportedly traveling with Brian Hickerson, her on-and-off boyfriend and former partner.

Hickerson had previously been accused of abusing Panettiere, and the actress wrote about the relationship in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

Her book described serious incidents of domestic violence and the lasting emotional impact of the relationship.

Hickerson was sentenced to prison for domestic violence in 2021 and had previously been subject to a restraining order involving Panettiere.

The reason the two were traveling together shortly before her death has not been publicly explained.

Panettiere faced years of personal struggles

Panettiere had been open about many of the challenges she faced throughout her life.

The actress struggled with alcohol and substance addiction, as well as postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014.

She later revealed that her addiction became especially difficult during a period when she was also battling anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

Panettiere entered rehab in 2015 while working on Nashville and eventually spoke publicly about her recovery.

Her struggles also affected her relationship with Kaya. Panettiere ultimately gave full custody of her daughter to Kaya’s father, former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko, when she was struggling with her mental health and addiction.

She later strongly rejected the idea that she had simply abandoned her child.

Instead, Panettiere said she believed allowing Kaya to live with her father gave her daughter a more stable environment while she focused on getting healthy.

Her family had already suffered a devastating loss

Panettiere’s death is also the second major tragedy to hit her immediate family in recent years.

Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died suddenly in February 2023 at just 28 years old. His death was later attributed to cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, along with complications involving his aortic valve.

The loss deeply affected Hayden, who had been close to her brother.

Now, three years later, the family is facing another devastating loss.

Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed Hayden’s death in a statement and described his daughter as “an incredible light and a force of nature.”

He also asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve.

Tributes pour in for the actress

News of Panettiere’s death quickly led to an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends and former co-stars.

Bethany Joy Lenz remembered Panettiere warmly, saying she always felt happy whenever they crossed paths and regretted that they never managed to follow through on plans to spend more time together.

Panettiere became famous as a child before reaching worldwide recognition with roles in Heroes, Remember the Titans, Scream and Nashville.

Her career included major television and film roles, but her later years were also marked by her willingness to speak openly about addiction, mental health, domestic abuse, motherhood and loss.

For now, the biggest question remains unanswered.

Hayden Panettiere’s official cause of death has not been determined. Authorities have not confirmed an overdose or any other specific cause, and there is no indication from the preliminary investigation that foul play was involved.

Until the medical examination and additional testing are completed, the circumstances surrounding the actress’s sudden death remain under investigation.