American actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36 following a cardiac arrest caused by a suspected substance overdose at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 1:50 p.m. after an acquaintance reported finding the actress unresponsive, but first responders were unable to revive her.
Police officers and paramedics from Greenville responded to the emergency call at the South Carolina loft apartment complex. Upon arrival, emergency personnel performed chest compressions in an effort to save her life.
Panettiere was officially pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m., roughly 40 minutes after the initial 911 call was placed. She would have celebrated her 37th birthday this coming Friday.
Emergency Call and Overdose Reports
Details of the emergency response emerged through 911 call recordings and reporting by the Daily Mail. An acquaintance of Panettiere placed the initial call to emergency services to report that the star was unconscious.
In recorded audio of the call, a female voice informed the operator that Panettiere appeared to have suffered cardiac arrest. Minutes later, a male dispatcher was heard stating that the actress had suffered a substance overdose.
Greenville police and the local medical examiner have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. A police spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail that an acquaintance had placed the emergency call, but stated that no additional information was available for public release.
Authorities noted that preliminary findings from the investigation showed no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Career and Tributes
Panettiere gained international prominence for her television and film roles. She starred as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC superhero drama series Heroes, played country music singer Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series Nashville, and portrayed Kirby Reed in the Scream horror movie franchise.
In comments made just months before her death, Panettiere reflected on her life and recovery, saying that she felt she had managed to leave the darkness behind her and still had much left to live for.
Following the news of her death, fellow actress Kim Cattrall paid tribute to Panettiere, saying she had passed away far too soon.
