Hayden Panettiere, the Rockland County-born actress known for roles in "Heroes," "Nashville" and the "Scream" franchise, died Aug. 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.
Greenville police said officers and EMS personnel responded Sunday afternoon to a report of an unresponsive woman at an apartment complex. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said a preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. A cause and manner of death had not been released as of Monday morning.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement provided through her representative. "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."
Hayden Panettiere's early acting career
Panettiere was born in Palisades, a hamlet in Rockland County, on Aug. 21, 1989, to Lesley Vogel, a former soap opera actress, and Alan "Skip" Panettiere, a New York City firefighter and captain.
She began appearing in television commercials as an infant and started acting in soap operas, including "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light," at age 4.
As a child, she also appeared on shows including "Ally McBeal," "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
She grew up in Rockland County and later was homeschooled as her acting career accelerated.
Breakthrough roles in movies and TV
Panettiere became a breakout star as cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC's hit drama "Heroes."
She voiced Princess Dot in Disney-Pixar's "A Bug's Life" and later appeared in films including "Remember the Titans," "Raising Helen," "Tiger Cruise," "Ice Princess," "Bring It On: All or Nothing," "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" and "Scream 4."
Other notable credits included "Scream VI" and voice roles in the "Kingdom Hearts" video game franchise.
Panettiere starred in "Ice Princess" alongside Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in 2025 at age 39.
Panettiere starred in 'Nashville'
From 2012 to 2018, Panettiere starred as country music singer Juliette Barnes on ABC's "Nashville," alongside Connie Britton.
Her performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Panettiere spoke openly about addiction and mental health
In May 2026, Panettiere released her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," in which she discussed postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse and loss.
Over the years, she spoke publicly about her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression, including in television and podcast interviews.
Death of her brother affected her deeply
Panettiere's younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in Nyack in February 2023 at age 28. Her family later said the medical examiner attributed his death to cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, coupled with aortic valve complications.
"I miss him all the time," Panettiere told E! News earlier this year. "I didn't think I would have to do life without him, but I'm grateful that I had the time I had with him."
Panettiere's family
Panettiere began dating Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2009. Their daughter, Kaya, was born in 2014.
In 2018, Panettiere gave full primary custody of Kaya to Klitschko, a decision she later connected to her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hayden Panettiere dies at 36: Rockland County actress known for ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville’
