Hayden Panettiere Dies at Age 36 in South Carolina Home

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere, the American actress known for her roles in TV shows Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36. Her death was announced by her father, Skip Panettiere, who described her as "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."

Panettiere's death was confirmed after police responded to a report of an unresponsive female at a property in South Carolina. According to the Greenville Police Department, an acquaintance of Panettiere placed a 911 call, and emergency services were unable to save her. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, as stated by the police.

Panettiere began her career as a child star, appearing in a toy commercial at just 11 months old. She went on to star in several television series and films, including Heroes, Nashville, and Scream 4. Her role as Claire Bennet in Heroes earned her widespread recognition, and she later earned two Golden Globe nominations for her performance as Juliette Barnes in Nashville.

Panettiere was also a passionate advocate for animal rights and had been involved in several charitable causes. She had been open about her struggles with addiction and mental health, and had spoken publicly about her experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety. As she told People in 2022, "I had no idea that this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction," referring to being offered "happy pills" at the age of 15.

Panettiere's death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from her co-stars and colleagues. David Arquette, who appeared alongside her in Scream 4, commented on a post, writing "I love you Hayden," while Melissa Barrera shared a story with the words "Rest in peace sweet Hayden." Viola Davis, who starred with Panettiere in the drama Custody, shared a tribute on Instagram, describing her as "an amazing talent" and saying that she had a "burning curiosity" about who Panettiere was becoming.

Panettiere is survived by her father, Skip Panettiere, and her mother, Lesley Vogel, who is also her former manager. Her brother, Jansen, died suddenly in 2023 at the age of 28 due to an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications. Panettiere's daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, whom she had with her ex-fiance Wladimir Klitschko, is currently living with her father in Ukraine.

In the months leading up to her death, Panettiere had been promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which touched on her struggles with fame, postpartum depression, addiction, and recovery. She had also been open about her experiences with anxiety and depression, and had spoken about the importance of seeking help and support. As she told Jay Shetty on his On Purpose podcast, "I think a misconception is that I have been in the past forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who sought it out – who was saying I desperately need help."

Panettiere's legacy as an actress and advocate will be remembered by her fans and colleagues. Her death serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help when needed.

Investigation and Cause of Death

The investigation into Panettiere's death is ongoing, and the cause of death has not been officially announced. The Greenville County coroner will perform an autopsy, and the results are expected to be released in the coming days. According to the police, there are currently no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, but the investigation is still in its early stages.

Panettiere's publicist, Kasey Kitchen, told NBC News that her death was being investigated, but it remained unclear whether she was referring to a coronial investigation into her death or an autopsy. The police have confirmed that they responded to a report of an unresponsive female at a property in South Carolina, and that Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.