Death of US actress Hayden Panettiere ruled accidental, ending local police probe

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.

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.

"Based on the Medical Examiner's determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled accidental," police said in a statement.

Authorities, including the DEA, were reportedly investigating the circumstances of Panettiere's death, according to the BBC's US media partner CBS News.

Panettiere, who had spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse, was found unresponsive in a South Carolina residence on 16 August.

Last month, the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed the former child star had died from an accidental drug overdose that included fentanyl - a synthetic opioid that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans over the past five years alone.

The coroner also found methocarbamol - a prescription muscle relaxant - and quetiapine - an anti-psychotic medication used to treat certain mental health conditions.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)