An investigation has been launched into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who has died at the age of 36. Her cause of death has not yet been confirmed, and local police have stated that there were no signs of foul play.
The Heroes star's death was confirmed by her father, Alan Panettiere, in a statement released on Sunday, August 16. He did not disclose the circumstances surrounding her death.
Emergency Response
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, revealed that an acquaintance of the actress placed a 911 call, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene. The Greenville Police Department said in a statement: "Officers accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female at around 1:50 pm on Sunday."
The statement continued: "Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene."
Investigation Underway
The case is being investigated by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner's Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Hayden's representative, Kasey Kitchen, confirmed that authorities are examining the circumstances of her death. Kitchen told NBC News: "There's an investigation ongoing. We should know more tomorrow."
Family Statement
Alan Panettiere praised his daughter as an "incredible light and a force of nature" in his statement. He said: "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 requested privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss." Hayden recently published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she chronicled her turbulent personal life involving domestic abuse, struggles with alcoholism and rehabilitation stays, and a fight against undiagnosed postnatal depression following the birth of her daughter Kaya.
