US actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 from fentanyl overdose
US actress Hayden Panettiere died at age 36 from a fentanyl overdose, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Tuesday. Panettiere, known for her roles in ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ was found unresponsive at a home in South Carolina last month by her long‑term partner Brian Hickerson and his brother. Hickerson reportedly gave paramedics a bag of medications while they administered Narcan, a drug that reverses fentanyl effects, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma and the death was ruled an accident. Toxicology tests revealed a lethal mix of fentanyl, a generic version of Xanax, a muscle relaxant, and an anti‑psychotic drug. Investigators are likely to examine how she obtained the substances, drawing parallels to the probe into actor Matthew Perry’s 2023 hot‑tub overdose. While the tragedy occurred abroad, it highlights the global danger of opioid misuse. In Nigeria, substance abuse remains a public‑health concern; anyone struggling with drug use should seek help from a medical professional or contact local support services.