As Hayden Panettiere’s family, costars and fans speak out following her sudden death at 36, more details continue to emerge.
There are still many more questions surrounding the death of Hayden Panettiere.
Authorities continue to investigate the shocking death of the actress – best known for roles in “Nashville,” “Heroes,” “Ice Princess,” “Bring It On” and more – who was found unresponsive at Judson Mill Lofts, an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, local police told USA TODAY.
A 911 call obtained by Reuters, TMZ and other outlets revealed the “Scream” franchise actress was in cardiac arrest after a possible overdose.
Here’s what we know as her family speaks out and the investigation moves forward.
Mariska Hargitay, who worked with a young Panettiere on “Law & Order: SVU,” and other former costars shared their tributes to the actress.
Hargitay captioned a shot of herself and Panettiere, from the 2005 episode “Hooked,” and wrote, “Holding you in my heart. Heartbroken about your hard journey. Remembering your light.”
Panettiere also guest-starred in the memorable 2001 episode “Abuse” at 11 years old, as the neglected child of famous parents.
Ethan Suplee, who starred with the young actress on 2000’s “Remember the Titans,” published an essay on his Substack and recalled a then-10-year-old Panettiere jumping into his arms at the premiere, before he ducked off to do drugs in a bathroom.
Regarding her death, and the loss of other stars due to reported overdoses, he wrote, “I feel a tremendous sense of loss today. I don’t know what they were going through at the end. I only know that for them, the battle is over. And I’m sad.”
And Justin Chatwin, who met Panettiere while she was on “Heroes” before working with her on one of her final films, “Sleepwalker,” said she seemed isolated during filming in late 2025.
“I could tell she was struggling, and I was like, ‘I don’t think it’s this movie,'” he told People magazine. “There’s a handful of women that I’ve worked with that I really liked, and I really loved working with her, but I also know that she was really lonely.”
Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, told NBC News over the phone on Aug. 18 that the actress’ family did not approve of her rekindled relationship with Brian Hickerson.
“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson,” Vogel told the outlet.
She added, “I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry – it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry, and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.”
Vogel was her daughter’s manager from when she was a baby until Panettiere ended their working relationship at 19 – a decision that led to their strained relationship, the actress shared in interviews and her 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
According to a police report obtained by USA TODAY, Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were on the scene and called 911.
The officer reported first speaking with Zach Hickerson, who told the police officer that Panettiere “was his brother’s girlfriend.” He was “very emotional” as emergency medical personnel attempted to save Panettiere, while Brian “did not become emotional” until medics declared the actress dead, according to the officer’s report.
Brian Hickerson, whose tumultuous relationship with Panettiere led to jail time for domestic violence, also showed police a “bag of medication” the actress was allegedly taking at the time. Other details in the report were redacted.
A cause of death has not yet been shared.
On Aug. 16, at about 1:51 p.m., police officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a call from an acquaintance of Panettiere’s reporting an unresponsive woman at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, police confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 17.
Medical assistance was administered upon arrival, but the woman, later identified as Panettiere, was pronounced dead, according to police. They added that no foul play is suspected.
Panettiere’s cause of death is pending, with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office telling USA TODAY on Aug. 17 that it could take up to three months for her autopsy and toxicology reports to be completed. USA TODAY has requested a copy of the coroner’s report when it is finished.
On Aug. 18, a rep for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office told TMZ that Panettiere’s body was ready to be released to family.
The actress, whose prolific career in TV and film began when she was a baby, got her big breakout role as cheerleader-turned-superhero Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes” after roles in “Remember the Titans,” “Ally McBeal” and Disney’s “Ice Princess,” later starring as country-pop singer Juliette Barnes in more than 100 episodes of “Nashville.”
Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed his daughter’s death in a statement to USA TODAY shared by her representative.
He remembered the actress as “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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Contributing: Sameen Chaudhry, Anika Reed and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Terry Benjamin II, USA TODAY Network