Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and "Nashville," died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36 years old.
A friend found her unresponsive and called 911 at approximately 1:50 p.m., according to Healthline. Emergency dispatch audio included references to an overdose and cardiac arrest. Emergency responders attempted advanced cardiac life support, including CPR, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m.
The Greenville Police Department said its preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. The official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, and the investigation is ongoing.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement. "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "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."
In the years before her death, Panettiere had been open about her experiences with mental health and substance use. In May, she published a memoir titled "This Is Me: A Reckoning," in which she wrote about postpartum depression, addiction, and recovery. While promoting the book on the Jay Shetty Podcast, she described experiencing anxiety and panic attacks after the birth of her daughter and during production of "Nashville."
She also spoke about turning to alcohol during that period. "I was miserable. I was in tears all the time. Even though the alcohol helped my nervous system calm down, it is a depressant, so over time it made things worse, not better," she told Shetty. She later gave up custody of her daughter.
Following news of her death, former costars and colleagues shared tributes. Viola Davis, who appeared alongside Panettiere in the 2016 film "Custody," wrote about her on Instagram. "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," Davis wrote.
Brit Shaw, who appeared with Panettiere on "Nashville," also posted on Instagram. "She had this way of making you feel at home. From the moment I walked onto the Nashville set, she made me feel like I belonged. We had so many good" memories together, Shaw wrote.
