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 into 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.

Citing the medical examiner's report last month that found Panettiere died from a drug overdose, the Greenville Police Department said it had "concluded its investigation" into her death.

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.