Hayden Panettiere promoted her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in her last public appearance on May 26 at a panel discussion in West Hollywood, California. During the event, the actress, known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” spoke candidly about the themes within her 320-page book, including postpartum depression, motherhood, and the challenges of growing up in Hollywood.
Panettiere discussed her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression, which led to her decision to temporarily relinquish custody of her then-11-year-old daughter, Kaya, to her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko. "The worst thing that somebody said to me is that it was a personal choice that I was making," Panettiere shared, expressing guilt over feeling "completely incapable" of parenting.
She described the emotional toll of child stardom, recounting how she felt groomed from a young age and the eventual impact on her adult identity. "I’m playing all these characters and I feel like they’re genuine and they’re a part of me, but who am I outside of this? What is my identity?" she recalled wondering.
Panettiere also spoke about the therapeutic value of sharing her story, noting how many individuals in and outside the industry had confided in her. "Because you’ve talked about your mental health, it gave me the courage to be honest about mine and get myself help, and you saved my life," she stated, finding strength in vulnerability.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her passing on Sunday, calling her an "incredible light and a force of nature." Panettiere died at her South Carolina home after an apparent overdose, according to 911 dispatch audio. Paramedics responded to a cardiac arrest call, and CPR was reportedly in progress. The circumstances surrounding her death were not considered suspicious, and her cause of death has not yet been confirmed. She was 36 years old.