Hayden Panettiere death: 911 audio mentions ‘overdose’ after Heroes star found dead in South Carolina

New details have emerged surrounding the sudden death of Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere, with emergency dispatch audio referring to a possible “overdose” as authorities continue to investigate what happened.

The 36-year-old actress was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday after an acquaintance called emergency services about 1.50pm.

Dispatch audio obtained by TMZ appears to capture a first responder saying, “Responding. Overdose. CPR is in progress.”

Other reports say emergency crews were initially responding to calls concerning an “unresponsive female” in cardiac arrest, with paramedics administering advanced life support in a desperate attempt to revive the actress.

Despite resuscitation efforts, Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene at 2.32pm.

An autopsy has since found no signs of trauma contributing to her death, but officials have not yet determined an official cause or manner of death and further investigation is continuing.

The Greenville Police Department said, “(Officers), accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female” about 1.50pm on Sunday.

“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms Panettiere placed the 911 call.”

While the dispatch audio mentions an overdose, authorities have not confirmed that as Panettiere’s cause of death. Police have so far said there were no preliminary signs of foul play, while the coroner’s investigation remains ongoing.

Panettiere’s representative Kasey Kitchen also confirmed investigators were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

“There’s an investigation ongoing. We should know more tomorrow,” Ms Kitchen told NBC News.

Panettiere’s father confirmed his daughter’s death in an emotional statement, remembering the actress who became one of the most recognisable faces on television through her roles as Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.

“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her - and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Her father asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss”.

Panettiere had been acting for almost her entire life, beginning her career as a child performer before appearing in Remember the Titans and later finding international fame in Heroes.

She went on to play country singer Juliette Barnes across six seasons of Nashville, earning two Golden Globe nominations, and also appeared in the Scream franchise.

Her death came just months after the May release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she spoke candidly about the darker periods behind her Hollywood career.

The memoir detailed her experiences with addiction and recovery, postpartum depression, trauma, domestic abuse and loss, alongside the pressures she faced growing up in the entertainment industry.

Panettiere also wrote about the struggles she faced following the 2014 birth of her daughter Kaya, whom she shares with former fiancé and Ukrainian boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.

The investigation into Panettiere’s death remains ongoing, with authorities yet to officially determine what caused the actress’s sudden death.