Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36, her representative confirmed.
Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon, according to local reports citing the Greenville Police Department. Emergency medical assistance was provided, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of death has not been disclosed. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death in coordination with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. Preliminary findings reportedly showed no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, described her as an “incredible light” who brought love and joy to those around her and to millions of viewers.
Panettiere rose to prominence through her role as Claire Bennet in the television series Heroes, where she played a cheerleader with the ability to heal herself. She later starred as country music singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, further establishing herself as a prominent television actress.
Her film credits included Scream 4, in which she played Kirby Reed, as well as I Love You, Beth Cooper, Remember the Titans and Bring It On: All or Nothing. She also voiced Princess Dot in the animated film A Bug’s Life and became one of the youngest performers ever nominated for a Grammy Award.
Beyond her acting career, Panettiere had spoken publicly about personal struggles, including addiction and recovery. Earlier this year, she released a memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning, reflecting on her life as a child star and her experiences with addiction, recovery, postpartum depression and domestic abuse.
Panettiere also shared an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with former Ukrainian professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and those who followed her career, with many remembering her for her performances across television and film.
Authorities continue to investigate, while further details regarding the circumstances and cause of her death are expected to emerge following the coroner’s examination.
