US actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died aged 36. Her death was confirmed by her representatives, followed by a statement from her father Skip: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 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 investigate after 911 call
No cause of death has been announced, but police responded to a 911 call about a suspected cardiac arrest. Audio shared by TMZ reportedly captured dispatchers discussing a suspected overdose. A preliminary police investigation found no signs of “foul play or suspicious circumstances” when officers arrived at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, after the call from an acquaintance.
According to a spokesman for the City of Greenville Police, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Judson Mill Lofts on August 16, 2026, at approximately 1.51pm. Medical assistance was administered, but Panettiere was pronounced deceased at the scene. The case is under investigation with the Greenville County Coroner's Office.
Tributes from co-stars and friends
Celebrities including Selma Blair, Viola Davis, Rosie O'Donnell, and singer JoJo paid tribute. Viola Davis, who appeared with Panettiere in the 2016 film Custody, wrote: “What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart.” Jenna Ortega shared a photo of a young Hayden on Instagram, writing: “This is such a devastating loss. Rest well.”
Bryan Fuller, a writer and producer on Heroes, said: “SAVE THE CHEERLEADER, SAVE THE WORLD. It was an honor and an inspiration to write Claire Bennet’s storyline in season one of HEROES. Hayden was more than an actress she was a muse.”
Final interviews and personal struggles
In her final interviews, Panettiere discussed giving up custody of her daughter Kaya while struggling with postpartum depression and addiction. In a May 2026 podcast interview with Jay Shetty, she said: “I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity. I’ve closed one door and another door is opened … I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.”
Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released earlier this year, detailed her experiences with childhood fame, domestic violence, and addiction. She also came out as bisexual in May. Her death comes three years after her younger brother Jansen died at 28 from cardiomegaly and aortic valve complications.
