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American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for “Heroes”, “Nashville” and the “Scream” franchise, has died at 36.
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She was found unresponsive at a home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16.
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Police said a friend made the 911 call and that the preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
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Her official cause of death has not been released as authorities continue their investigation.
August 17, (THEWILL) — American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville”, has died at the age of 36.
Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. Police and emergency medical workers responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive woman at about 1:50 p.m. local time.
According to reports, a friend of the actress made the emergency call. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene after efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
Police said the preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. However, the investigation remains ongoing, and her official cause of death has not yet been released.
While emergency dispatch audio indicated a possible overdose and cardiac arrest, the details remain unconfirmed as authorities await official medical findings.
Panettiere’s death was confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, who described her as “an incredible light and a force of nature” in a statement released through her representative. He also asked for privacy as the family mourns her loss.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child, appearing in “One Life to Live” before gaining wider attention through films such as “A Bug’s Life” and “Remember the Titans”.
She became a household name in 2006 when she was cast as Claire Bennet, a cheerleader with healing powers, in the hit television series “Heroes”.
She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in “Nashville”, a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
She also played Kirby Reed in the “Scream” franchise, appearing in “Scream 4” and “Scream VI”. Her other work included the video game “Until Dawn”.
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Earlier in 2026, Panettiere released her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning”, in which she reflected on her childhood fame, motherhood, addiction, postpartum depression and the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who was also an actor, in 2023.
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Her death has since drawn tributes from colleagues and friends, including Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other stars who worked with her throughout her career.
Panettiere died just five days before her 37th birthday, which would have been on August 21.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
