Actress Hayden Panettiere‘s cause of death remains under investigation after the actress, best known for “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died Sunday, Aug. 16, in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.
Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death: What We’ve Gathered
According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, emergency responders were called to the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex just before 2 p.m. Sunday after a report of a woman in cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted advanced life support but could not revive her, and she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She had reportedly been staying at the complex temporarily.
An autopsy performed Monday found no signs of trauma, according to the coroner, though the official cause and manner of death are still pending and could take up to three months to finalize. The Greenville Police Department said its preliminary investigation turned up no signs of foul play, and that an unnamed acquaintance placed the 911 call.
Separately, several outlets, including People and TMZ, have reported that 911 dispatch audio captured officials referencing a possible overdose alongside the cardiac arrest call. That detail has not been confirmed by the coroner’s office or police, and should be treated as preliminary radio traffic rather than a determined cause of death. Panettiere’s publicist told reporters an investigation was ongoing and more information was expected soon.
Family Statement
Panettiere’s father, Alan Lee “Skip” Panettiere, a retired New York Fire Department captain, confirmed her death in a statement, calling her an incredible light and a force of nature who brought joy to everyone who knew her. He asked for privacy while the family processes the loss.
Who Is Hayden Panettiere’s Daughter, Kaya?
Panettiere shares a daughter, Kaya, born in 2014, with former fiancé and Ukrainian boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. The couple split in 2018, and Panettiere gave up custody, a decision she later described as heartbreaking. She said the two remained close and had privately agreed never to speak negatively about each other to their daughter, a promise shaped by her own difficult childhood.
Hayden Panettiere’s Brother, Jansen Panettiere
Panettiere’s younger brother and only sibling, actor Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28. His death was later attributed to heart complications, including an enlarged heart and aortic valve issues. Jansen had struggled with substance abuse, and Panettiere had helped him into treatment before his death.
From Child Star to Golden Globe Nominee
Panettiere began acting at 11 months old in a commercial and voiced Princess Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” Her breakout came at age 10 opposite Denzel Washington in 2000’s “Remember the Titans.” She went on to star as a cheerleader with regenerative powers on “Heroes” from 2006 to 2010 and as a rising country star on “Nashville” from 2012 to 2018, earning two Golden Globe nominations for the latter. Her film credits also include “Scream 4,” “Bring It On: All or Nothing” and “Ice Princess.”
Her Struggles With Addiction and Mental Health
Panettiere spoke openly in recent years about body dysmorphia she attributed to invasive tabloid coverage as a teenager, along with addiction, alcohol use and periods of opioid dependence. She published a memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” about three months before her death, and in earlier interviews said she’d come to prioritize how she felt about her work over chasing perfection.
She also said she faced professional fallout for discussing postpartum depression publicly in 2015, after a decade-long partnership with a skincare brand ended shortly after the interview aired. She said she never heard from anyone at the company again.
Her Final Days
Panettiere’s last Instagram post, shared July 27, showed a black-and-white photo of her with a friend, captioned about good times and good company. A friend, Chelsea Rashoff, said on social media she’d been scheduled to pick Panettiere up from the airport the Monday after her death. Another friend, musician Clayton Johnson, said her final text to him reflected on wanting world peace, which he called characteristic of her.
Tributes From Hollywood and Beyond
Tributes have poured in from friends and former co-stars. Alyssa Milano praised Panettiere’s willingness to speak candidly about domestic violence, postpartum depression and recovery long before it was common for public figures to do so. “Nashville” co-star Bethany Joy Lenz remembered the joy of crossing paths with her over the years. District of Columbia shadow senator Paul Strauss, who said he was devastated by the news, credited Panettiere for donating her time to causes including whale conservation and DC statehood.
This is a developing story. The official cause and manner of Hayden Panettiere’s death have not yet been determined.