South Carolina police have formally ended their inquiry into the death of Hayden Panettiere, ruling that the Nashville and Heroes actor died by accident and leaving any remaining questions about the case to federal authorities.
The Greenville Police Department told Entertainment Weekly that it reached its conclusion after reviewing the medical examiner’s findings along with its own investigation. Officials had already said they were not treating the death as suspicious. Panettiere, 36, was found in cardiac arrest at a home in Greenville on August16.
The closure follows a coroner’s report, reviewed last month by the Associated Press, which found that she died from an accidental overdose of several substances, fentanyl among them. Her death came shortly after a stay in a rehabilitation facility.
The police decision may not be the final word. The AP reports that it is still unclear whether federal investigators will keep pursuing the matter on their own.…