Lynsey Lonberg, who referred to herself as Hayden Panettiere's "second mom," has detailed the difficult path the late actress navigated as a child star, alleging that Panettiere was offered substances like pills and alcohol on Hollywood sets.
"She told me that when you go working on a set, all kinds of pills, liquor, all kinds of things are available where you can get anything you want," Lonberg told the Daily Mail. "This kid didn’t have a chance. I don’t think she would have gone down the road she went down if it hadn’t been for Hollywood."
Lonberg, who considered Panettiere like a child, stated that the "Heroes" actress "tried and tried and tried to get past her struggles, but she was an actress."
Panettiere, who began her career as an infant, was found dead in a South Carolina Airbnb on July 19, 2026. She was 36. An autopsy report indicated no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death, though a 911 call referenced a possible overdose and cardiac arrest.
The cause of death has not been officially released. In her 2026 memoir, Panettiere herself had been open about her struggles with substance abuse, including becoming dependent on alcohol after the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014, whom she shared with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. She also wrote about turning to prescription medication for anxiety while filming "Nashville" in 2015.
Lonberg commented on Panettiere's ability to care for her daughter, saying, "It was impossible for her to keep up what she was doing as an actress and try to take care of her daughter." Lonberg added, "She was trying to overcome the problems she had with drugs."
Anyone affected by substance abuse can find help by calling SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).