Hayden Panettiere, actress best known for her roles on Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death to ABC News on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 16.
“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 representative said in a statement.
What is Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death?
TMZ reported that Panettiere passed away earlier on Sunday.
At this time, no information on her cause of death is available.
Tributes and legacy
The actress released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in May 2026. The 320-page book chronicles her life as a child star, her battles with addiction and postpartum depression, and her path toward healing.
Panettiere is survived by her parents Alan and Lesley and her 11-year-old daughter Kaya.
Panettiere’s brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died at the age 28 in 2023 from aortic valve complications caused by enlarged heart syndrome.
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