- Hayden Panettiere, star of “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died at age 36 on August 16.
- A 911 call referenced a possible overdose, but Panettiere’s official cause of death has not yet been determined.
- Authorities found no signs of foul play or trauma, and the investigation into her death is ongoing.
Actor Hayden Panettiere, best-known for her roles in the television shows “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, SC. She was 36.
Panettiere was found unresponsive by a friend, who called 911 at around 1:50 p.m., the Greenville Police Department said in a statement obtained by People.
The emergency dispatch audio included references to an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest,” People reports. However, Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
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.
Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said in a statement, 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.”
Panettiere had been open about her experiences with mental health and substance use in the years before her death.
In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” published in May, she wrote about her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction, and recovery, among other deeply personal aspects of her life.
While promoting the book in an interview on the “Jay Shetty Podcast”, Panettiere discussed experiencing anxiety and panic attacks after the birth of her daughter and while filming “Nashville.”
She also described turning to alcohol during that period. She later gave up custody of her child.
“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.
Friends and former costars shared tributes to Panettiere following news of her death.
Viola Davis, who worked with Panettiere in the 2016 film “Custody,” remembered her in an Instagram post.
“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 on “Nashville” with Panettiere, also shared her memories 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 times together, and I’ll always be grateful for them,” Shaw wrote.
This is a developing story. We will update as more information becomes available.
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