[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Hayden Panettiere has passed away.
The Heroes star’s rep confirmed the tragic news to People via a statement from her father, Alan Panettiere, on Sunday, reading:
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.”
He continued:
“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.”
The actress, just 36, died on Sunday. Her cause of death is unconfirmed at this time.
Related: Van Life Influencer Joe Felz Dead At 40 — Read His Girlfriend’s Emotional Statement
She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with her ex, Wladimir Klitschko, to whom she gave full custody in 2018. Our heart breaks for the little girl and all of Hayden’s loved ones right now.
According to a 911 call obtained by TMZ, EMS quickly responded to a call about a person in “cardiac arrest” and an “unresponsive female.” Law enforcement sources told the outlet a friend called 911 at 1:51 p.m. local time to report that Hayden was in cardiac arrest inside her home in Greenville, South Carolina. Per dispatch audio, medics were sent to perform CPR on someone who experienced an overdose. It’s unclear who placed the call.
Sources say that police and EMS workers responded quickly. Paramedics used “advanced cardiac life support” to try to resuscitate the performer, which, per the insiders, involves CPR with special medicines, breathing tubes, and heart rhythm tracking. Chest compressions were also performed. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
According to police, there were no initial signs of foul play and the circumstances surrounding the death did not appear suspicious. That said, an autopsy is set to be completed on Monday to determine a cause and manner of death.
Hayden began as a child star on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live in 1994. She went on to star in Guiding Light and made her film debut at just 9 years old as the voice of Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life. She went on to appear in many projects, such as hits like Remember the Titans, Ally McBeal, Malcolm in the Middle, Tiger Cruise, Ice Princess, and Bring It On: All or Nothing. In 2006, she landed the TV show Heroes, which skyrocketed her to international fame. She was also known for her role in Scream 4 and Scream 6. Plus, of course, the beloved series Nashville alongside Connie Britton. Truly an incredible career.
It was just this past May that Hayden released a memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she opened up about her childhood fame and personal challenges, such as addiction, postpartum depression, domestic abuse, and the death of her brother, Jansen.
A devastating loss. May she rest in peace. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at or check out StartYourRecovery.org. For resources on mental health, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]