Gayle King, host of CBS Mornings, stated that she believes actress Hayden Panettiere was "clearly still struggling" three months prior to her death at age 36. Panettiere died on Sunday, with authorities responding to a 911 call from her home.
During Monday's episode of CBS Mornings, King reflected on her last interview with Panettiere in May 2026, coinciding with the release of the actress's memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning." King noted that while Panettiere expressed feeling like she was in a "good place" and that her daughter meant everything to her, her continued struggles were evident off-camera.
"She was clearly still struggling, and to wake up to hear this news was really tough," King said. She recalled Panettiere sharing that relinquishing custody of her daughter to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, was one of the most difficult decisions, though she believed it was best for her child. Panettiere had signed over custody in 2018 amidst substance addiction issues.
Panettiere's memoir detailed her experiences with postpartum depression, a past abusive relationship, and the challenges of being a child star. In her May interview with King, Panettiere emphasized the importance of embracing imperfection, stating, "I really wanted to share with the world that they don't have to be afraid, that they can live their truth, that they can be imperfect, that being perfectly imperfect is being brave, and it's okay."
Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene after officers and paramedics attempted resuscitation. The preliminary investigation by police and the medical examiner has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Panettiere and her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had reportedly traveled to South Carolina from Los Angeles the day before her death.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child and gained recognition for roles in "Remember the Titans," "A Bug's Life," the television series "Heroes," and "Nashville," for which she received two Golden Globe nominations. Her father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement calling her "an incredible light and a force of nature."