Hayden Panettiere appeared "really lonely" and "struggling" on the set of her final film, "Sleepwalker," according to her co-star Justin Chatwin. Panettiere died at age 36 following an apparent overdose.
Chatwin, who previously worked with Panettiere on "Heroes," told People that the actress disclosed personal struggles with trauma and addiction during the production of "Sleepwalker," a thriller released in January. The film's subject matter, which involved a grieving mother dealing with domestic abuse and the loss of her child, may have resonated with Panettiere, Chatwin suggested.
"She opened up to me about a lot of things," Chatwin said. "I could tell she was struggling, and I was like, ‘I don’t think it’s this movie.’… But I also know that she was really lonely."
Chatwin noted that Panettiere seemed different during the filming of "Sleepwalker" compared to their earlier work together. He shared that he has been sober for 15 years and recognized signs of addiction, adding that "Hollywood – it takes, and it takes from youth."
Panettiere had publicly navigated challenges including postpartum depression and substance abuse, leading her to grant full custody of their daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, to her former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in 2018.
Despite her personal difficulties, Chatwin praised Panettiere as a "sweet" person with a "beautiful heart" who remained kind to others on set. He recalled her authenticity during their time working together, noting that she was open about her life and struggles.
"Sleepwalker" director-writer Brandon Auman also expressed his devastation at Panettiere's passing, describing her as a "bright, open, numinous spirit." Auman stated that Panettiere's openness and introspection profoundly impacted him during filming, noting her complexity and the depth of her experiences. "She lived a dozen lives in one short beautiful life," Auman said. "I’ll miss her forever."