Hayden Panettiere is being remembered as an “amazing talent” following her death aged 36. A representative for the US actress – best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville – confirmed her death on Monday, saying her family would remember her as an “incredible light” who brought “immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her”.
Tributes from co-stars
Viola Davis – who featured alongside Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama film Custody – shared a tribute to her former co-star on Instagram. She said: “What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart.”
Davis’ husband Julius Tennon also appeared in the film with them, playing a court officer.
Bethany Joy Lenz's heartfelt message
Bethany Joy Lenz – a long-time friend of Panettiere – said she was “crushed” by her death. Sharing photos of the actress on set when she was young, as well as photos of them together over the years, the One Tree Hill star wrote: “There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But I’m here with my head in my hands and I don’t know what else to do in aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue.”
Lenz went on to write that she “didn’t understand how this is real”. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”
Family statement and further tributes
Commenting on Instagram, Panettiere’s Scream 4 co-star David Arquette wrote: “I love you Hayden.” The statement from Panettiere’s father Skip announcing her death read: “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.”
Her father also asked that her family be given privacy as they “take time to process this unimaginable loss”. No cause of death has been announced.
