Domestic violence charges against Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy have been dropped after his accuser could not be found.

The 26-year-old was arrested last summer after police responded to a call regarding violence against a woman believed to be Hardy's girlfriend.

Hardy was convicted by a judge on the charges and was then placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List by the Panthers, but he then requested a trial by jury.

Prosecutors took the decision to drop the charges as they failed to find Hardy's accuser to give evidence for the case to proceed, with reports suggesting that the parties came to a civil suit agreement.

The Panthers said in a statement: "We are aware of the decision by the district attorney's office to dismiss charges against Greg Hardy.

"Greg remains on the Commissioner's Exempt List and the NFL has advised us to allow it to complete its review under the personal conduct policy. There is no change in his status at this time."

Hardy will become a free agent when the league year ends in March.