Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday after emergency services received a report of cardiac arrest. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
An autopsy found no signs of trauma, but officials said the cause and manner of death remain pending further testing.
Panettiere rose to fame as a child actor before becoming widely known for playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes and country music star Juliette Barnes in Nashville. Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Ice Princess and Scream 4.
In recent years, she had spoken publicly about her struggles with addiction, mental health and domestic abuse. She also released a memoir detailing her experiences and her journey through recovery.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, described her as an extraordinary person who brought joy to her family and millions of fans.
The Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG AFTRA) also paid tribute to Panettiere, highlighting her long career in television and film.
Panettiere is survived by her 11 year old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Beyond acting, Panettiere was involved in mental health, animal rights and environmental advocacy. She also supported Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion, helping raise funds for humanitarian assistance.
She had recently returned to acting after a period away from the spotlight, appearing in Amber Alert in 2024 and Sleepwalker in 2026.
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