Michelle Rodriguez has said it is "not normal" how many young stars have died recently, following the death of actress Hayden Panettiere. The American actress died aged 36 at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday.
Panettiere hosted the World Music Awards in 2010 alongside The Fast And The Furious star Rodriguez.
Rodriguez Remembers Panettiere's 'Curious Spirit'
Speaking on the red carpet for a Fast And The Furious anniversary screening, the 48-year-old said she would remember Panettiere for her "curious spirit and how happy and joyous" she was.
She added: "I've got to tell you, man, I just can't stand how many young people are leaving us lately. It's disheartening, and it's making me think, `What's going on?' It's not normal."
Speaking to Variety, she then added: "I don't want to speculate about anything, but it's weird. Just in general, the amount and the volume of it since 2010 to now, it's a lot."
Panettiere's Death Follows That of Co-Star Michelle Trachtenberg
Panettiere's death follows that of her former Ice Princess co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who died aged 39 last year from complications caused by diabetes.
Tim Fywell, the director of the 2005 Disney movie, paid tribute to both actresses.
In a statement to Variety, he said: "It was really upsetting to hear yesterday of the death of Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36. I remember a brave, sparky, dedicated young actress who lit up the set in rehearsals and then the screen with her vibrant talent.
"Michelle Trachtenberg, Hayden's co-star in the movie, and she were an amazing pair."
The Greenville County Coroner's Office said an autopsy on Panettiere has been completed and "no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death".
A statement added: "The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies."
Family Tributes and Last Conversations
Panettiere's estranged mother Lesley Vogel has now given her tribute to her daughter. She told NBC News: "I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments."
"And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry - it is a struggle and it's a very challenging industry and it's not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.
"People, they feel pushed into things, even the managers and agents want to control them and I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different."
"I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes. I just feel that she's with her brother and they're at peace."
Vogel's last conversation with the Heroes and Nashville actress was in October 2025 and the pair are thought to have shared an uneasy relationship.
She said: "Last spoke probably when I was in California and I was trying to work with her to clean up quite a bit. Other than texting, but we had not texted in some time."
Panettiere's father Skip 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".
