Hayden Panettiere, the acclaimed actress recognized for her roles as the indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC series “Heroes” and the country music star Juliette Barnes in “Nashville,” has died at the age of 36. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed that emergency responders were dispatched to a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon following a 911 call regarding a reported cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, medical personnel attempted to resuscitate the California resident, who had been staying at the location temporarily, but their efforts were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead approximately 30 minutes after the initial emergency call.
An autopsy conducted on Monday indicated no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her passing; however, the official cause and manner of death remain pending further testing. Greenville police noted that the 911 call was placed by an acquaintance, though they provided no additional details regarding the individual. In a statement released by her representative, her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed profound grief, describing her as an “incredible light” and a “force of nature” who brought joy to millions of viewers and her loved ones alike.
The actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, also issued a tribute to the late actress, who had been a member since 1994. The union highlighted her extensive career in film and television, which began when she was just 11 months old in commercials. Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere achieved early success, becoming one of the youngest individuals to receive a Grammy nomination for her voice work as Princess Dot in the 1998 animated feature “A Bug’s Life.” She also spent four years on the soap opera “Guiding Light,” where she portrayed a young girl battling leukemia.
Her professional reputation was marked by a strong work ethic even in her youth. Bethany Joy Lenz, her former “Guiding Light” co-star, noted that by age 10, Panettiere possessed an astonishing intelligence, demonstrating a deep understanding of human struggle and nuance that was rare for a child actor. Throughout her career, she appeared in notable projects such as “Remember the Titans,” “Ice Princess,” “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” and the “Scream” franchise, where she played Kirby Reed.
In recent years, Panettiere was candid about the personal challenges she faced, including addiction, postpartum depression, and the pressures of growing up in the public eye. Earlier this year, she released a memoir titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which detailed her journey through recovery and her experiences with domestic abuse. She also spoke openly about the 2018 decision to relinquish custody of her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, to her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, describing it as a painful but necessary step to prioritize her own health and her daughter’s well-being.
The actress also faced significant personal tragedy with the death of her brother, voice-over actor Jansen Panettiere, who passed away in 2023 at age 28 due to an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications. In an interview earlier this year with podcaster Jay Shetty, she described the loss as the most heartbreaking experience of her life, noting that she felt as though she had lost her “other half.”
Beyond her acting career, Panettiere was a dedicated advocate for various social and political causes. In 2011, she was honored in Washington, D.C., for her support of voting rights and statehood, with the mayor declaring September 16 as “Hayden Panettiere Day.” Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she became a vocal supporter of the country, establishing a relief fund to provide medical supplies and protective gear. She explained to at the time that she felt she could no longer remain on the sidelines while friends and family in the region suffered.
Despite her struggles, Panettiere had recently returned to acting, appearing in the 2024 film “Amber Alert” and the 2026 production “Sleepwalker.” No official cause of death has been released as authorities continue their investigation. The report also notes that panettiere soared to stardom in the early 2000s before stepping back from the public spotlight as she battled challenges with addiction and mental health. The report also notes that local police said, the address is at an apartment complex. The report also notes that the 911 call came from an acquaintance, Greenville police said without elaborating about the person. The report also notes that “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. The report also notes that portraying a girl with leukemia, she played Lizzie Spaulding on the CBS soap opera “Guiding Light” from 1996 to 2000. The report also notes that by the time Panettiere was 10, “she knew her lines and everyone else’s,” Lenz wrote. The report also notes that she understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera.”. The report also notes that who died in February 2025 due to complications of diabetes mellitus, fans also remember Panettiere for her role in the 2005 film “Ice Princess” alongside Michelle Trachtenberg.