Her family confirmed that she passed away on Sunday August 16.
In a statement, 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.
“We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Hollywood Grieves A Young Star
Since the news of Hayden’s tragic death yesterday, there has been an outpouring of tributes from friends, co-stars and fans.
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.
Hayden’s longtime friend Bethany Joy Lenz wrote: “I dont understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she?
“It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love.
“I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”
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.
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.
Devastating Details Revealed About Hayden’s Tragic Death
Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, with new details emerging about the emergency response that took place before the actress was pronounced dead.
Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16.
A friend reportedly called 911 at around 1:50 p.m., prompting emergency responders to rush to the property.
According to dispatch audio obtained by People, officials discussed a possible “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” as they responded to the emergency.
However, an apparent overdose has not been confirmed as Panettiere’s official cause of death. Her cause of death remains pending an autopsy.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed that Hayden was in cardiac arrest before her death.
They also said that an autopsy showed “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”
When emergency personnel arrived, Panettiere was unresponsive and required extensive efforts to save her life.
People reports that responders administered advanced cardiac life support, including CPR, medication and breathing support, but their attempts were unsuccessful.
She was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
Police have stressed that their preliminary investigation has found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate what happened.
The news is particularly devastating given how openly Panettiere had discussed her previous struggles with addiction.
Earlier this year, she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she detailed her experiences with addiction, recovery, postpartum depression, trauma, domestic abuse and loss.
Just months before her death, Panettiere had also spoken about her hopes for the future while promoting the memoir.
At a May event, she reflected on rebuilding her life and the impact she hoped to have on others.
Her death also comes three years after the loss of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at the age of 28.
She had previously spoken about how deeply his death affected her, saying she would always be heartbroken by his loss.
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, described his daughter as an “incredible light” and a “force of nature” who brought immense love and joy to those around her.
For now, the exact circumstances behind Panettiere’s sudden death remain unanswered.
The investigation and autopsy are expected to provide further information about what happened in the final hours of the actress’s life.