Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, has passed away at 36 in South Carolina.

Published on: Aug 17, 2026, 20:33:15 IST

Prefer HTon Google

Share via
Copy link

Authorities are providing details regarding the unexpected passing of Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36 in South Carolina. On Sunday, August 16, at approximately 1:50 p.m. local time, law enforcement and EMS teams in Greenville, South Carolina, were dispatched following a report of an "unresponsive female," a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said in a statement, as per PEOPLE.

Hayden Panettiere death: Here is what preliminary report says

1. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the spokesperson stated.
2. The case is currently being investigated by the Greenville Police Department in collaboration with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
3. The initial investigation has not revealed any evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
4. A friend of Panettiere made the 911 call.
5. Authorities have stated that no additional information will be disclosed at this moment.

Panettiere's long-time agent verified her passing on Sunday, providing a statement from her father, Alan Panettiere.

“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,” the statement read.

Deep Dive

Powered ByAsk

Who was Hayden Panettiere?

Panettiere's acting career commenced in 1994 when she was cast in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. She subsequently appeared in various shows and films as a child star before securing a prominent role in Heroes, where she portrayed a cheerleader endowed with self-healing abilities.

From 2012 to 2018, Panettiere shared the screen with Connie Britton throughout all six seasons of the ABC musical drama series Nashville. After the conclusion of Heroes in 2010, Panettiere featured in Scream 4 (2011) and later reprised her beloved character in the 2023 film Scream 6.

Earlier this year, the celebrity — who has an 11-year-old daughter named Kaya with her former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko — published a revealing memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she discusses her challenges of growing up in the public eye, her personal battles with addiction, and other experiences.

Stay connected with all the glitz and glam from the world of entertainment, right from Hollywood gossip to Bollywood chit chat. Also don't miss out on music buzz, anime scoops and OTT action.

See Less