Hayden Panettiere, the American actress best known for roles in Nashville and Heroes, has passed away at the age of 36, as authorities have confirmed her cause of death.
The coroner’s office has now confirmed her cause and manner of death.
From child star to television favorite
Hayden Panettiere’s career stretched over three decades and saw her appear in some fan favorite films and television shows.
She spent almost her entire life in front of the camera, beginning her career before she could even walk.
Panettiere first appeared in a commercial at just 11 months old before landing her first major acting role in 1994.
She played Sarah Roberts on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, remaining on the series until 1997.
She then joined Guiding Light as Lizzie Spaulding, a role she played from 1996 to 2000.
In 1998, she voiced a character in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, earning a Young Artist Award nomination and a Grammy nomination.
Her role as Sheryl Yoast opposite Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans helped introduce her to a wider audience.
She continued appearing in movies throughout the early 2000s, including Raising Helen, Racing Stripes, Ice Princess and Bring It On: All or Nothing.
Panettiere reached another major milestone in 2006 landed the role as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC show Heroes.
She later appeared in films including I Love You, Beth Cooper and Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy.
She also joined the Scream movie franchise in 2011, playing Kirby Reed in the fourth installment of the horror classics.
Then in 2012, Panettiere took on another defining role as Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
The series allowed her to showcase both her acting and singing abilities across six seasons.
It became her most acclaimed role, earning her two Golden Globe nominations and a Critics’ Choice nomination.
After stepping away from the spotlight for periods, she returned as Kirby Reed in Scream VI in 2023.
Her open struggles with fame
Behind Hayden Panettiere’s successful Hollywood career was a deeply difficult period that she has since opened up about publicly.
After becoming a star at such a young age, Panettiere faced intense pressure and scrutiny.
Her personal struggles became particularly difficult following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014.
She has spoken about experiencing severe postpartum depression, which contributed to her struggles with alcohol and addiction.
Her battle with addiction eventually led to periods in rehabilitation.
She also faced the painful decision to give custody of Kaya to her daughter’s father, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018
Panettiere has since explained that she believed the decision was in her daughter’s best interests while she focused on recovering.
Her personal life became even more difficult after the death of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, in 2023. S
he was also open about experiencing domestic abuse during a past relationship.
Just this year in May, Panettiere released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.
The book offered her most detailed account yet of her childhood fame, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, trauma, domestic abuse, loss and the pressures of growing up in Hollywood.
Rather than allowing the tabloids to define her story, Panettiere used the memoir to reclaim control over her own narrative.
She described the book as an opportunity to be brutally honest about her life and the experiences that shaped her.
The memoir ultimately presented a more complicated picture of the actress behind the fame, highlighting both the hardships she endured and her determination to rebuild her life.
Hayden’s co-stars and friends pay tribute
Since Hayden’s death was announced, there has been an outpouring of tributes for the much-loved actress.
In a statement to ABC News, her father Skip 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.”
Jay Shetty, who Panettiere had spoken to just weeks ago on his On Purpose podcast, wrote on Instagram: “I can’t believe it.
“Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year.
“My love and condolences to her family and fans.”
Actress Selma Blair commented on Hayden’s most recent Instagram post: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.”
Oscar-winner Viola Davis, who acted alongside Hayden in The Architect in 2006 and Custody from 2016.
“What an amazing talent you were… so gifted,” Davis wrote on Instagram, describing Panettiere as an “old, wise soul with such a deep heart”.
“I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes.
“Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden,” she adds.
Actors’ union SAG-AFTRA said: “We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere.
“A child actor, Hayden’s long career in TV & film included memorable roles in Heroes, Nashville and more.
“Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
Her manner of death has been ruled an accident.
Panettiere was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at the Greenville, South Carolina, residence where she had been temporarily staying on August 16.
Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death.
