Actor Hayden Panettiere, who found fame as a teenager in Heroes before going on to star in Nashville and the Scream film franchise, has died at the age of 36.
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, said officers "responded to a report of an unresponsive female" at around 1:50pm ET on Sunday 16 August. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. A cause of death has not been revealed.
The Greenville County Coroner's Office said in a report issued on Monday: "An autopsy was completed today. At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death."
Panettiere's father, Alan "Skip" Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement to ABC News. "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." He asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."
Panettiere rose to prominence playing Sheryl Yoast in the 2000 film Remember the Titans, alongside Denzel Washington, before landing the role of cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC's sci-fi drama Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010. She later starred as aspiring country singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville from 2012 to 2018, earning two Golden Globe nominations for the role. She also appeared in multiple instalments of the Scream franchise, most recently reprising her role as Kirby Reed in Scream VI in 2023.
Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, was published in May this year and became a New York Times bestseller. In it, she wrote about her childhood in Hollywood and her experiences with addiction, postpartum depression, abusive relationships and losing custody of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Tributes have come from across the industry. Nashville co-star Connie Britton was among those who led the reaction, while Neve Campbell, who starred alongside Panettiere in Scream 4, told People: "I found Hayden to be really kind and funny and brought a magnetic energy to set. She was a true talent which shows in the decades she worked in such a short life. Her family and loved ones are in my prayers."
Emma Roberts, who played Panettiere's on-screen cousin in Scream 4, shared a photograph of the pair, writing: "Rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed." Fellow Scream 4 co-star David Arquette wrote "I love you, Hayden" in response to the news, while Melissa Barrera, who appeared with Panettiere in Scream VI, posted: "Rest in peace sweet Hayden." Scream writer Kevin Williamson shared a photograph of Panettiere in character as Kirby, and Nico Tortorella, who played Trevor Sheldon in Scream 4, wrote: "We grew up together in so many ways, fought like siblings, loved like siblings, and somewhere along the way, you just became family."
Panettiere's former Heroes co-stars also shared personal memories. Sendhil Ramamurthy recalled meeting her at the final screen test for the series, describing her as "a pro" who "stuck up for background actors when they were mistreated" and knew "every crew member's name". David Anders, who played Adam Monroe, wrote: "One of the brighter lights I've ever met and had the privilege to call a friend." Dania Ramirez, who played Maya Herrera, said: "My heart aches so much right now." James Kyson, who played Ando Masahashi, remembered her as "a fierce protector of animal rights" from the age of 16.
Kim Cattrall, who played Panettiere's on-screen mother in the 2005 Disney film Ice Princess, wrote on Instagram: "Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon." Derek Hough, who appeared alongside Panettiere on Nashville, recalled that she was pregnant with her daughter Kaya while they filmed together, writing: "Looking at this photo now, having recently become a father myself, breaks my heart."
Brandon Auman, the writer and director of Sleepwalker, Panettiere's final film due for release in January 2026, also paid tribute. In the psychological thriller, Panettiere plays Sarah, an artist haunted by the death of her daughter. Auman wrote on Instagram: "Horrible news. Completely devastated. You taught me so much on set, and the personal stories you shared with me about growing up in the industry were often profound, surreal and amazing."
