Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in television series such as Nashville and Heroes, has died in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 36. Authorities responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at the Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 p.m.
Upon arrival, police and EMS personnel administered medical assistance, but Panettiere was pronounced deceased at the scene at 2:32 p.m. The 911 call was placed by an acquaintance of the actress. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and the Greenville City Police Department are conducting a joint investigation into her death.
The Coroner’s Office released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming the details of the initial response. Panettiere, identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere of California, was found unresponsive inside a residence where she had been temporarily staying. An autopsy was completed on Monday, and no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to her death. The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. Authorities have stated that the preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Fans began leaving flowers and notes at the entrance of the gated apartment complex where Panettiere died on Monday evening. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her passing in a statement, describing her as an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to those who knew her and to millions who watched her onscreen.
Panettiere, who would have turned 37 on Friday, began her career as a child actor in commercials and soap operas. Her breakout role came in 2006 as a cheerleader with superpowers in Heroes, a series that propelled her to fame. She earned three Teen Choice Awards for this role and was a Grammy Award nominee for a children’s spoken word album. Later, she starred as a country music upstart in Nashville, where she performed her own singing, achieving hits on country charts and receiving two supporting actress Golden Globe nominations. Eleven of her songs recorded for Nashville appeared on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts.
Beyond television, Panettiere also appeared in two Scream movies, played the title character in the 2009 film I Love You Beth Cooper, and portrayed the young daughter of a football coach in Remember the Titans. She had previously spoken positively about her experience filming Remember the Titans, noting her strong connection to the character of Sheryl Yoast.
Panettiere had been open about her struggles with alcohol addiction and depression, particularly following the birth of her daughter in 2014 with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Her younger brother, Jansen, also an actor, died in 2023 at age 28 due to a heart condition. She entered rehab in 2015 while filming Nashville, stating she was drowning and put herself in the first treatment center. In a recent interview, Panettiere addressed misconceptions about her custody arrangement for her 11-year-old daughter, clarifying that she did not simply give up her child, but rather Klitschko suggested their daughter live with him full-time when the child was two, as Panettiere battled mental health challenges and addiction.
