The actress was found unresponsive in South Carolina as authorities continue investigating her sudden death
Hayden Panettiere, the actress who rose to fame through starring roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at the age of 36. Her representative confirmed the devastating news on behalf of her family.
Police and emergency personnel responded to an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, shortly before 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman. Medical assistance was administered, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said an acquaintance placed the emergency call. The Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office are investigating, though preliminary findings have revealed no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An official cause of death has not been released.
Panettiere became a household name as Claire Bennet, the seemingly indestructible cheerleader at the center of NBC’s “Heroes.” She later portrayed country singer Juliette Barnes on “Nashville,” a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Her career began when she was a child and eventually included appearances in “Remember the Titans,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.” Earlier in 2026, she released the memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she discussed her career and the personal struggles she had faced away from the spotlight.
Panettiere’s father asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they process the unimaginable loss. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28.
