Hayden Panettiere Honored at Memorial Service Attended by Stars
Co-stars and friends gathered in Malibu to remember the late actress one month after her death.
Hayden Panettiere's life was celebrated at a memorial service in Malibu, California, on Saturday, a month after her death at the age of 36. The event, described as "emotional and beautiful" by sources, drew notable figures from the entertainment industry.
Among the attendees were Panettiere's former "Nashville" co-stars, including Connie Britton, Charles Esten, Lennon Stella, and Jonathan Jackson. Evan Ross, Paris Hilton, and Ruby Rose were also present to honor the late actress.
During the service, Britton and Esten delivered speeches. Esten reportedly performed one of Panettiere's songs from their time on "Nashville." The ceremony included the release of doves and featured a display with a photo of Panettiere and text reading, "Honoring the life & legacy Hayden Panettiere. 8.21.89 – 8.16.26."
An insider told TMZ that the coastal location was chosen because Panettiere loved the ocean and whales. The memorial was organized by her family, including her father, Skip Panettiere, and was attended by approximately 150 people.
Panettiere's ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, and their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, were not reported to be in attendance. Klitschko had previously expressed his grief on social media following Panettiere's death.
Sources also indicated that Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, and her ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson were not invited to the memorial. Vogel, who has publicly expressed animosity towards Hickerson, stated she missed the event due to a family emergency.
Hickerson and his brother Zach were present at the Airbnb in South Carolina where Panettiere died on August 16 from an apparent overdose. An official cause of death has not yet been released, though reports suggest it involved a fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill. The Drug Enforcement Administration is reportedly investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, with a focus on her alleged drug dealer.
Panettiere and Hickerson had a history of domestic disputes, with Hickerson arrested multiple times for alleged abuse. Panettiere detailed aspects of their relationship in her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."