Actor Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles on the television series Nashville and Heroes, died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.
A friend found Panettiere unresponsive and called 911 at about 1:50 p.m., the Greenville Police Department said. Emergency dispatch audio referenced a possible overdose and cardiac arrest. First responders administered advanced cardiac life support, including CPR, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m. Authorities say the preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
An autopsy reportedly found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. Officials have not yet publicly released an official cause or manner of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her passing in a statement, saying, “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.”
In recent years Panettiere had spoken openly about mental health struggles and substance use. Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published in May, detailed her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction, and recovery. In interviews promoting the book, including an appearance on the Jay Shetty Podcast, she described suffering anxiety and panic attacks after the birth of her daughter while working on Nashville and acknowledged turning to alcohol during that period. She also discussed later giving up custody of her child.
Colleagues and friends paid tribute after her death. Actress Viola Davis, who worked with Panettiere on the 2016 film Custody, recalled watching Panettiere grow and described seeing her resilience and creativity. Brit Shaw, a former Nashville co-star, said Panettiere had a way of making people feel welcome and remembered the good times they shared on set.
This is a developing story; more information will be reported as authorities release it and family statements become available.