Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for Heroes and Scream, was pronounced dead at the scene after a 911 call reported she was in cardiac arrest at her home in South Carolina on Sunday, August 16. Emergency services were summoned for a person in "cardiac arrest" before arriving at her residence. Reports suggest they responded to a call regarding an unresponsive woman at Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road, South Carolina at 1.51pm.
911 Call and Police Response
TMZ has now confirmed the caller stated she was experiencing cardiac problems. The 911 call was reportedly placed by an unidentified acquaintance. Police confirmed the 36 year old mother-of-one passed away at the scene, telling television station WYFF4: "Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The case is under investigation 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. An acquaintance of Ms Panettiere placed the 911 call," they said.
Timeline and Travel
The call came merely a day after she departed Los Angeles on Saturday, 15 August, alongside her on-off partner Brian Hickerson. The pair reportedly travelled south. A flight from LA to South Carolina typically takes around 4 hours and 48 minutes to 5 hours and 3 minutes, reports the Express. Should the flight include a stopover, the journey time can extend to 6 to 8 hours or longer, depending on the connection. This suggests the pair had only been in the location for a matter of hours before the tragic incident occurred.
Health Concerns and Family Statement
TMZ additionally reported that Panettiere had been experiencing back discomfort in her final days. The Heroes star had been battling a health concern over the past year and was recently filmed appearing to walk with some difficulty. She had reportedly been suffering from back pain for the previous 12 months. Speaking to Women's Health in May this year, she revealed: "I quite literally woke up and felt nothing but pins and needles from my waist down.
"I wasn't able to bend my toes or lift my foot at all. No one was able to give me a solid answer," she said. It remains unclear whether this condition is connected to her death. Hayden's father, Skip Panettiere, issued a statement through ABC News confirming her passing and asking for privacy while the family comes to terms with their loss.
"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," he shared.
