The actress’ family confirmed her death Sunday. Authorities say there are no preliminary signs of foul play, and no cause of death has been announced.
Hayden Panettiere, who starred in TV series “Nashville” and “Heroes” and alongside Denzel Washington as a child in the film, “Remember The Titans,” has died at 36, her representative confirmed. She would have turned 37 on Friday, August 21.
Yahoo Entertainment reported that Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16. Her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, remembered her as an “incredible light” and “force of nature” who brought joy to people who knew her and viewers who watched her onscreen.
A cause of death has not been announced.
The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina said officers and emergency medical personnel responded Sunday afternoon to a report of an unresponsive woman. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said a preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, while the case remains under investigation with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Panettiere became widely known as Claire Bennet, the cheerleader with regenerative powers on NBC’s “Heroes,” which premiered in 2006. She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes on ABC and CMT’s “Nashville,” earning two Golden Globe nominations for the role.
Her film credits included “Remember the Titans,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.” She also voiced Dot in Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” and appeared in the 2026 psychological thriller “Sleepwalker.” She also starred in 2006’s “Bring It On: All or Nothing” opposite Solange Knowles.
Earlier this year, Panettiere released her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she reflected on her career, motherhood and difficult periods in her personal life.
SAG-AFTRA also mourned the actress, noting that she had been a member of the performers’ union since 1994.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28 from complications related to an enlarged heart and an aortic-valve condition.
Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 less than a week before what would have been her 37th birthday on Aug. 21. No cause of death has been disclosed, and authorities say the investigation is continuing.
Across social media, celebrities and fans shared messages of condolences about Panettiere’s passing. Tia Mowry share a broken heart in the comments of the final post on Panettiere’s page, along with the Dania J. Ramirez. On a post on TheShadeRoom, singer Jacquees similarly shared broken heart emojis with the message that he’d wanted to meet her since he was a kid.
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