Hayden Panettiere, who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a cheerleader with extraordinary abilities on the TV series “Heroes” and achieved success in country music as a singer on “Nashville,” has passed away at the age of 36.
Panettiere was discovered unresponsive in an apartment in Greenville, S.C., prior to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of death has not been determined, and authorities are investigating. An autopsy revealed no signs of physical harm, and law enforcement reported no indication of foul play.
Actress Viola Davis, Panettiere’s co-star in the 2016 movie “Custody,” expressed her sorrow on Instagram, praising Panettiere’s exceptional talent. Actor David Arquette, who worked with Panettiere in “Scream 4,” also extended condolences, describing her as brave and brilliant.
Panettiere, who would have turned 37 the following Friday, openly discussed her personal struggles in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. She detailed the lasting impact of her early fame, including battles with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression after giving birth to her daughter in 2014.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, conveyed profound sadness over her passing, describing Hayden as a radiant presence who brought immense love and joy to those around her.
Panettiere’s publicist declined to provide additional information following requests for details.
In her last Instagram post on July 27, Panettiere shared a black and white photo of herself with director Randall Slavin, captioning it with “Good times and good friends.”
Born to former New York City fire captain Skip Panettiere and soap opera star Lesley Vogel, Panettiere began her acting career with commercials and soap operas before gaining recognition for her role in “Heroes” in 2006.
She later portrayed a spirited young country singer on “Nashville” opposite Connie Britton, earning Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Panettiere’s music on the show charted on the country music charts, and she received acclaim for her singing.
Panettiere’s life was marked by personal struggles, including family turmoil and the loss of her brother in 2023. She was candid about her mental health challenges and addiction battles, seeking treatment and reflecting on her journey in her memoir.
Despite the challenges she faced, Panettiere remained optimistic and refused to be defined by tragedy, believing in the ongoing process of growth throughout life.
Tributes poured in following news of her death, with colleagues and fans remembering her as a rising star with endless potential.
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