Greenville, S.C. – Actress Hayden Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive on Sunday afternoon at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, according to a police news release. Officers responded around 1:51 p.m., provided medical assistance, and later confirmed her death.
Panettiere’s representative confirmed the report, which was first broken by ABC. No cause of death has been released, and preliminary findings indicate no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The Greenville Police Department is investigating the case in coordination with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Career highlights and recent work
Panettiere rose to fame in the early 2000s, first gaining attention as a child actor and later for her breakout role as Claire Bennet on the NBC series “Heroes” (2006‑2010). She later starred as country‑music star Juliette Barnes on ABC’s “Nashville” (2012‑2018). Recent film credits include “Amber Alert” (2024) and “Sleepwalker” (2026).
Personal struggles and advocacy
In recent years Panettiere was open about her battles with addiction, postpartum depression, and domestic abuse, sharing her experiences in a memoir titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She also spoke publicly about the loss of her brother, voice‑over actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023.
Panettiere was a mother to an 11‑year‑old daughter, Kaya, with former partner Wladimir Klitschko, a Ukrainian former professional boxer. She had previously discussed the difficult decision to relinquish custody of her daughter during a period of personal struggle.
Reactions
Her father, Skip Panettiere, issued a statement describing his daughter as “an incredible light and a force of nature.” SAG‑AFTRA, of which she had been a member since 1994, expressed condolences, noting her long career in television and film.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. CNN has sought additional information from Greenville police.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
