Hayden Panettiere, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ Star, Dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, the actor known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died Sunday, Aug. 16, in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.

Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death to ABC News.

Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to Judson Mill Lofts at about 1:51 p.m. after an acquaintance reported an unresponsive woman, Greenville police said in a statement published by CBS News.

Responders provided medical aid, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, police said. Greenville police and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office are continuing the investigation. Her cause and manner of death have not been released.

In a statement released to the media and posted by Filmfare on X, her father, Skip Panettiere, said, “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.”

Her family also asked for privacy.

Panettiere was born Aug. 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York. She appeared in television commercials before her first birthday.

Early credits included the soap opera “One Life to Live,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and voice work in “A Bug’s Life.” She also appeared in “Ally McBeal,” “Remember the Titans,” Disney’s “Tiger Cruise” and “Ice Princess.”

Panettiere broke through as cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes.” She later played country singer Juliette Barnes in more than 100 episodes of “Nashville.”

Her other films included “Scream 4,” “Scream VI,” “Bring It On: All or Nothing,” “I Love You, Beth Cooper” and “Raising Helen.”

Her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” was published May 19. In it, she wrote about childhood stardom, postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse and loss. No official information released about her death connects it to those experiences.

Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.

This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.