Hayden Panettiere’s ‘Nashville’ costar Connie Britton reacts to her death at 36
Connie Britton is mourning the loss of her Nashville costar Hayden Panettiere.
Following Panettiere’s death at 36 on Sunday, August 16, Britton took to Instagram to remember her former colleague with several photos of the two together.
“This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” she wrote the day after Panettiere’s sudden passing. “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak.”
Together on ‘Nashville’
Britton and Panettiere spent five seasons together on the country music drama Nashville, which first aired in 2012.
Britton starred as country legend Rayna Jaymes, while Panettiere played up-and-coming singer Juliette Barnes. The two characters’ complicated relationship served as a central plot point throughout the show.
Britton left the series in 2017, while Panettiere stuck around through the show’s final season in 2018.
Statement from the family
A representative for Panettiere confirmed her death to People and shared a statement from her father.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement read. “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 Greenville Police Department also told the outlet that officers and emergency medical services were called to a Greenville, South Carolina, home after a report of an “unresponsive female.” Panettiere was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation
According to dispatch audio, officials referenced an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time Panettiere died.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy was completed the day after her death.
In a statement, coroner Mike Ellis said, “At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”
“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time,” he added.
‘Nashville’ legacy
Panettiere earned two Golden Globe nominations for her work on Nashville. The show also picked up the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series in 2012.
Even after the series ended, Britton continued to keep up with Panettiere and cheer her on from afar. Speaking with People in September 2024, she said they hadn’t talked “in a while” but added that she “really [applauds] how she has gone through a really difficult time and done a lot of work and has come out on the other side.”
In 2025, Panettiere told Entertainment Weekly that Britton was “amazing” and “so supportive” throughout their time working together.
“Connie is just a class act,” she said. “She is so smart and so wise, and just being able to be on screen with her, I was honored. I think we kept each other grounded throughout the whole thing.”