Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for starring roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died at 36.
Panettiere died Sunday, August 16, in Greenville, South Carolina, according to a statement from her family. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death through a representative and asked for privacy as the family grieves.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he says in a statement. “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.”
Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at a Greenville residence Sunday afternoon. Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead at the scene after medical personnel attempted to revive her. Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play, but her cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending toxicology results.
Panettiere became a household name after playing Claire Bennet on Heroes, which premiered in 2006. She later starred as country music singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville, a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations. She also appeared as Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise.
Earlier this year, Panettiere opened up about her life and experiences in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. The book addressed her struggles with addiction, postpartum depression, trauma, domestic abuse, and the death of her younger brother, Jansen, who died in 2023.
Panettiere also publicly came out as bisexual while promoting the memoir.
In an interview with Us Weekly, she said she had previously been hesitant to discuss her sexuality because she worried people would view her coming out as part of a trend.
“That’s something about me I was never able to share with the world because it was just never the right time,” she said.
Panettiere said she wanted to carefully choose her words and tell her story honestly.
“It’s sad that I had to wait till I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?” she said.
Her memoir also detailed her struggles with alcohol addiction and the impact of her relationship with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter, Kaya. Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about giving Klitschko full custody of their daughter while she sought treatment for alcohol addiction.
She also discussed her abusive relationship with former boyfriend Brian Hickerson. Hickerson pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts related to injuring a spouse, cohabitant, or fellow parent and was sentenced to jail, according to People.
Panettiere’s career began as a child actor, with early roles including One Life to Live and films such as Remember the Titans. Her performances in Heroes and Nashville ultimately made her one of television’s most recognizable young stars.
Following her death, fellow actors and creators paid tribute to Panettiere.
Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis remembered Panettiere for her talent and described her as a “beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes.” Bryan Fuller, who worked on the first season of Heroes, called Panettiere a muse and praised her impact on him as a writer and storyteller.
Panettiere’s death comes after years of publicly discussing the challenges she faced away from the spotlight. In her final interview, published in Momé in July, she described herself as a work in progress.
“I’m a work in progress—We all are,” she said. “I take each day as it comes. I’m doing the work, and I’m doing my best.”
She also offered encouragement to others facing their own struggles.
“You’re stronger than you know,” she said. “And you’re going to be just fine.”
Photos courtesy of social media
