Hayden Panettiere, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ actress, dead at 36

Hayden Panettiere's death was under investigation one day after the "Heroes" actress died in South Carolina. She was 36.

Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, Fox News Digital confirmed.

“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest," the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. "EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM."

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department launched parallel investigations into her death.

"At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death," the coroner's statement continued. "The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.“

"This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time."

In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Panettiere’s friend, Chelsea Rashoff, revealed she had been expecting to see the “Nashville” star, sharing a photo of her calendar that showed she was supposed to pick Panettiere up from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9 a.m. Monday.

“I wish I could hold you and tell you it will all be okay, but I’m glad you are finally with Jansen now,” she continued. “I love you with my whole heart I miss you so much this doesn’t feel real.”

Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28.

Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez and Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

Hayden Panettiere's "Sleepwalker" co-star, Justin Chatwin, is shedding some light on who the actress was when the cameras weren't rolling.

During an interview with Fox News Digital, Chatwin explained that he first met Panettiere while she was working on her show, "Heroes."

"Well, I met her back in her 20s on 'Heroes,' and then I met her again on this film... we reunited," Chatwin began. "And she's just got one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I've worked with. And she's super sweet. But I noticed the difference in... yeah. Life had taken a toll on her and she had a lot of unfortunate incidents."

Chatwin continued, "At the end of the day, you go home from a warm fun movie set where everyone's telling you you're great and you're alone in your house and you still got to order your coffee and eat your dinner and it's a really lonely career, but on set she was super fun."

"And I really loved having deep conversations with her," he concluded.

Panettiere starred opposite Chatwin in the 2026 psychological thriller “Sleepwalker,” which followed a woman plagued by disturbing dreams and mysterious sleep episodes.

"Sleepwalker" marked Panettiere's final movie role.

Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36.

Hayden Panettiere spoke about where she felt she was at in her life in her last magazine feature, published in July 2026.

Speaking to Mome, Panettiere told the magazine that she doesn't "declare herself fixed."

"I'm a work in progress — we all are. I take each day as it comes. I'm doing the work, and I'm doing my best," she said.

The "Bring It On" icon explained that taking care of herself now looks like "setting boundaries, learning not to people-please, journaling, keeping close the people who make her feel safe," the magazine stated.

"A good book and a tea are also nice," Panettiere added.

Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36.

Actress Mischa Barton is honoring Hayden Panettiere after her sudden death.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Barton said, “I am heartbroken by the news of Hayden’s passing. Hayden spoke candidly about her struggles with depression, something no one deserves to endure."

Panettiere and Barton starred together in the 2026 psychological thriller, "Sleepwalker," which released in January.

"Her passing at such a young age, with so much life still ahead of her, is profoundly heartbreaking," Barton concluded.

Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36.

Masi Oka was "absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden," he wrote in an X post shared Monday.

Panettiere and Oka worked together on "Heroes," where she played Claire Bennet and he portrayed Hiro Nakamura. The actress died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.

"I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I’ll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her," Oka wrote.

"She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon…"

He added, "My heart goes out to her family and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Hayden."

Panettiere’s breakout role came in NBC’s superhero drama "Heroes," which ran from 2006 to 2010. She played a high school cheerleader with the power to rapidly heal from nearly any injury.

“I think ‘Heroes’ is really hot because it's just a really great combination of everything that people love,” she told The Associated Press in 2008. “They love reality, they love sci-fi and then things like ‘X-Men’ where they get to, you know, dream of something bigger. And at the core of it are these human stories that people just can relate to.”

Hayden Panettiere's "Nashville" co-star, Connie Britton, honored the late actress with a carousel of images shared Monday on social media.

"This was Hayden," Britton wrote on Instagram. "Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak."

She added, "I love you girl. Sleep easy now."

Britton portrayed country legend Rayna Jaymes on the musical drama while Panettiere played rising young star and rival Juliette Barnes.

Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. She was 36.

Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances in the preliminary investigation. A cause of death has not been released.

Alexa Penavega penned a heartfelt tribute to Hayden Panettiere, while also mourning the loss of fellow actors Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase.

"Hayden, Michelle, Daveigh... my heart is heavy today," she shared on social media Monday.

"These aren't just names from my childhood. They're girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard. We were kids navigating something so big, and not everyone had the foundation or support they deserved."

She added, "Today, I'm grieving and holding their families close in my prayers and thinking of everyone still fighting battles we can't see. Hug your people close today."

Panettiere's rep confirmed her death Sunday to Fox News Digital. Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately known. She was 36.

Former child star Michelle Trachtenberg died in February 2025 from complications of diabetes mellitus. Her manner of death was determined to be natural.

"Lilo & Stitch" actress Daveigh Chase died in June. She was 35.

Her official cause of death was from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office. Chronic polysubstance use was listed as a significant condition that contributed to her death.

Fans mourned Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36, just over a year after losing her "Ice Princess" co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. The two actresses helped define a generation of early-2000s moviegoers, and their deaths left longtime fans grieving both stars.

Trachtenberg played Casey Carlyle, a high school student whose physics project leads her to pursue competitive figure skating. Panettiere portrayed Gen Harwood, a driven champion skater who initially competed against Casey before the two developed a friendship.

"what do you mean both my ice princesses are gone?" a social media user wrote over a clip from the Disney film on TikTok. The clip had amassed nearly 300 comments from fans reminiscing on the film.

"I just want to be a little girl watching this in my parents living room for the first time again for one day," one user commented.

"They will both live on every single Christmas in my house until the day I die," one added.

"They reunited in heaven," another user said, adding a heart emoji.

Trachtenberg was found dead inside a New York City apartment in February 2025. She was 39 years old. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner later confirmed to Fox News Digital that she died naturally of complications from diabetes mellitus, citing lab results.

The actress was best known for playing Dawn Summers on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and Georgina Sparks on "Gossip Girl." She also starred as the title character in the 1996 film "Harriet the Spy" and appeared in movies including "Ice Princess," "EuroTrip" and "17 Again."

Alyson Stoner was overcome with emotion in a tribute to Hayden Panettiere shared on social media Monday.

Stoner – who voiced the role of Kairi from the "Kingdom Hearts" series after Panettiere's two-season debut – asked for "grace" as she remembered the late actress who died Sunday.

"Hey, this is very raw, it's very messy, please give me some grace. I wanted to acknowledge Hayden's passing," Stoner told her Instagram followers in a video.

"I've worked with Hayden, I worked with Hayden's brother Jansen, and from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the 'Kingdom Hearts' family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached.

"Sending so much love to Hayden's family. I'll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left and sending lots of love to the 'Kingdom Hearts' community too and how we're sharing in this loss."

Stoner added, "Take care everyone and ... take care of yourselves. Take care of each other."

Panettiere's younger brother, Jansen, who was also an actor, died of a heart condition in 2023, at age 28.

Circumstances surrounding Hayden's death were not immediately made available. The "Heroes" actress would have turned 37 on Friday.

Hayden Panettiere began her career at just 11 months old, starring in a toy commercial.

From her soap opera beginnings and early breakout roles holding her own opposite acting legends, Panettiere had an undeniable presence that would lead to starring roles on the small and big screens.

Here are some of her most memorable films and television shows:

“A Bug’s Life” (1998)

Panettiere was no stranger to the industry when she was selected to voice Princess Dot in the Pixar movie, "A Bug's Life." Co-director and writer Andrew Stanton had wanted to include a young actress in honor of his newborn daughter.

“Remember the Titans” (2000)

At just 10 years old, Panettiere portrayed Sheryl Yoast in "Remember the Titans."

“What an incredible time in my life … I was surrounded by the cutest boys. Kate Bosworth was like my big sister,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2023. “If I had wished to go back to any time in my life, it would be going back to ‘Remember the Titans.’”

“Ice Princess” (2005)

Hayden Panettiere starred in Disney’s 2005 coming-of-age film "Ice Princess" as Gen Harwood, a talented and ambitious competitive figure skater. Her character becomes a rival and eventual friend to Casey Carlyle, played by Michelle Trachtenberg, a high-achieving student who discovers a passion for skating.

“Bring It On: All or Nothing” (2006)

Panettiere starred in the 2006 teen comedy "Bring It On: All or Nothing" as Britney Allen, a popular cheerleader who moves to a new neighborhood and must earn a spot on a rival squad. 

“I loved the passion that people had for ‘Bring It On.’ When fans would come up who loved that movie, they would freak out — have a physical, visceral reaction to me that I had never seen before,” Panettiere told Entertainment Weekly this year.

“Heroes” (2006-2010)

Panettiere’s breakout role came in NBC’s superhero drama "Heroes," which ran from 2006 to 2010. She played Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with the power to rapidly heal from nearly any injury.

“I think ‘Heroes’ is really hot because it's just a really great combination of everything that people love,” she told The Associated Press in 2008. “They love reality, they love sci-fi and then things like ‘X-Men’ where they get to, you know, dream of something bigger. And at the core of it are these human stories that people just can relate to.”

“I Love You, Beth Cooper” (2009)

Panettiere starred in the 2009 teen comedy as Beth Cooper, the most popular girl in high school. The film follows valedictorian Denis Cooverman, played by Paul Rust, after he unexpectedly declares his love for Beth during his graduation speech.

“Nashville” (2012-2018)

Playing rising country superstar Juliette Barnes was perhaps her defining role, but she wasn't even originally envisioned as the series' main star. Connie Britton's Rayna was.

“Unfortunately, after the pilot, it was clear that my billing had gone way up. I went from maybe number five in terms of importance to nipping at Connie’s heels,” she wrote in her memoir. “I was deeply uncomfortable with this development.”

“Scream VI” (2023)

Panettiere returned to the horror franchise in "Scream VI," reprising her role as Kirby Reed from 2011’s "Scream 4." In the film, Kirby works as an FBI agent investigating a new string of Ghostface killings in New York City. The role marked Panettiere’s return to acting after several years away from the screen.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hayden Panettiere’s friends and former co-stars are continuing to honor the late actress following her death at age 36.

Emma Roberts, who starred alongside Panettiere in 2011’s “Scream 4,” remembered her friend on Instagram, sharing throwback photos of the pair together.“Rest in peace my sweet friend,” Roberts wrote. “You are so loved and you will be forever missed.”

 Kim Cattrall paid tribute to Panettiere as well. The two starred together in the 2005 Disney film “Ice Princess,” with Cattrall playing the mother of Panettiere’s character, Gen Harwood.

“Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon,” Cattrall wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two from the film.

Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, former co-stars and others who worked with her throughout her decades-long career.

Alyssa Milano is remembering Hayden Panettiere for the powerful impact she made off screen.

Following Panettiere’s death at age 36, the “Charmed” alum shared a lengthy Instagram tribute celebrating her friend’s courage, activism and willingness to use her platform to help others.

“I keep coming back to this photograph and thinking about Hayden’s courage,” Milano began. “I hope people remember this part of her and that it doesn’t get lost in the noise, the headlines, or the flattening of public figures into story and spectacle.”

“Long before it was common for public figures to speak out, Hayden understood something simple and difficult: visibility is not just something you are given, but something you can give away,” Milano wrote. “And she gave hers, again and again, in service of things larger than herself.”

She also highlighted Panettiere’s willingness to publicly discuss deeply personal matters, including domestic violence, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery and abuse.

“She did not share these things for ease or attention, but because she understood what her silence could cost others,” Milano wrote.

“Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere,” she added. “She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen.”

“Hayden was a gifted actor, but that was only part of what she gave us. She used her voice. She showed up. She cared fiercely," Milano concluded. “I hope that is remembered too, the way she chose to stand in the world when it mattered.”

Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.

Before her death at 36, Hayden Panettiere said she faced professional consequences after speaking publicly about postpartum depression.

Panettiere had worked with Neutrogena for a decade when she appeared on "Live with Kelly and Michael" and spoke candidly about her experience. She said the conversation was not planned, but that she chose to be honest when the subject came up.

Panettiere said the brand’s morality clause had long weighed on her, particularly as paparazzi documented nearly every aspect of her life from her teenage years onward. She recalled being photographed smoking, criticized for her outfits and subjected to cruel body-shaming commentary in tabloids.

According to Panettiere, she was shocked to learn that the skincare company wanted to end their relationship because of her comments on postpartum depression. She said her representative raised concerns about the decision, but she believed her contract would not be renewed.

“I knew that that was going to be it,” she said during an appearance on "On Purpose With Jay Shetty." “That I was not going to be invited back the next year.”

Panettiere said the experience was particularly painful because she had been associated with Neutrogena for 10 years and did not hear from those she had worked with after the partnership ended.

“I remember not hearing a word from anybody,” she said. “Not a ‘great working with you for 10 years,’ not a ‘hope you’re okay.’"

The "Heroes" actress told Shetty that the situation revealed the stigma she believed still surrounded postpartum depression.

Hayden Panettiere’s friend, musician Clayton Johnson shared an emotional Instagram tribute Monday, posting a video of himself and Panettiere singing together as he played guitar. He also revealed the final message he received from the “Nashville” star.

“It’s been a couple of weeks since our last phone call, but the last thing you ever texted me was, ‘Honestly, people think it’s a joke to ask for world peace, but that would be me,’” Johnson wrote. “That was you in a nutshell.”

“Sweet Hayden. I spent last night trying to process, to try to find the right words, but there really aren’t any,” he added, saying he hoped Panettiere was “at peace now and reunited with Jansen,” her younger brother, who died in 2023.

Johnson ended his tribute by sharing his gratitude for their friendship, writing, “I’m grateful I got to know you, and I’ll always be grateful for the memories. Fly high, Hayden.”

Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36.

Hayden Panettiere spoke about the promise she and former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko made while co-parenting their daughter, Kaya, months before her death.

Panettiere said the former couple remained close friends and shared a deep respect for one another, despite ending their romantic relationship.

“We have a great relationship, and Vlad and I are still best friends,” she said during an appearance Jay Shetty's podcast, "On Purpose." “There’s not many people who know me in this world as well as he does.”

The actress explained that their approach to co-parenting was shaped by painful memories from her own childhood. Panettiere said she grew up hearing negative comments from her mother about her father, something she found deeply hurtful.

"We made a promise to each other that we would never say anything negative about one another to our daughter,” Panettiere told the podcast host.

She said they both kept that promise, choosing instead to speak positively about each other with Kaya. Panettiere said she made sure their daughter knew how much she loved her father and understood that Klitschko was someone she admired.

“We talk each other up to our daughter,” Panettiere said. “She knows he is a hero and one of the bravest people I know.”

Panettiere and Klitschko welcomed Kaya in 2014. They called it quits in 2018 and the "Nashville" actress gave full custody of her daughter to her former fiancé.

Hayden Panettiere’s good friend is mourning the actress with an emotional tribute following her death at age 36.

In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Panettiere’s friend, Chelsea Rashoff, revealed she had been expecting to see the “Nashville” star, sharing a photo of her calendar that showed she was supposed to pick Panettiere up from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9 a.m. Monday.

“My beautiful friend. I just needed you to get to me and I know you would have been okay,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m sitting here without words other than no no no this isn’t real. I keep hoping I’ll wake up from a dream.”

“I wish I could hold you and tell you it will all be okay, but I’m glad you are finally with Jansen now,” she continued. “I love you with my whole heart I miss you so much this doesn’t feel real.”

Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28.

Hayden died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.

Hayden Panettiere’s final Instagram post, shared July 27, has taken on new meaning following her death at age 36.

The "Ice Princess" actress posted a black-and-white photo of herself posing alongside friend Randall Slavin. Panettiere stuck out her tongue as Slavin draped an arm around her in the candid snapshot.

“Good times and good friends,” Panettiere captioned the post.

Slavin responded in the comments, writing, “Love this. Good times babe. Xxx.”

The photo was shared less than three weeks before Panettiere died on Aug. 16. Authorities have said the cause and manner of her death remain under investigation.

Months before her death, Hayden Panettiere opened up about how her definition of success had changed after spending decades in the entertainment industry.

In January, Panettiere – who was promoting her film “Sleepwalker” at the time – said success had become less about perfection and more about enjoying her work.

“It’s become more important to me to have a positive experience and feel good about my job and what I’ve done, what I have accomplished,” Panettiere told Fox News Digital.

“I stopped being such a perfectionist and nitpicking at myself,” Panettiere continued. “I’m much better at giving myself grace, I think, and therefore get to enjoy my job more than I ever did before.”

When asked what she wished adults in the industry had protected her from as a young star, Panettiere pointed to criticism and the importance of learning to accept herself.

“I think encouraging me to love myself more and love myself with my flaws and all,” she said. “It’s not about how many times you fall down or how you fall, it’s about how you handle it afterwards, how you pick yourself up and dust yourself off and carry on.”

Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.

Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this post.

Hayden Panettiere recalled the intense paparazzi attention she faced after "Heroes" changed her level of fame at just 16.

Panettiere said the attention initially seemed exciting, but quickly became invasive and dangerous.

“It went from something that was kind of cool to something that was incredibly dangerous and incredibly invasive,” she said during an appearance on "On Purpose with Jay Shetty" before her death. “Not just for me, but for the people around me.”

The "Nashville" star said she became fiercely protective of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, and her loved ones as photographers increasingly followed her. Panettiere recalled paparazzi allegedly boxing her in while she was driving and using confrontational tactics to provoke a reaction. In one incident, she said she left a store to find more than 100 photographers waiting outside.

“I just felt this kick on the back of my leg,” she said. “And I realized, when I turned around, they had a camera in my face and I realized that they were trying to get a reaction out of me.”

She said a publicist had prepared her for the scrutiny as "Heroes" was about to change her life, advising her to keep her facial expressions neutral around photographers. Still, Panettiere said she was shocked by the lengths people went to in pursuit of a photo.

"The things that they would say to me at such a young age were appalling," she recalled. "They were truly just mind blowing and shocking. It was just wildly dangerous."