Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," was found unresponsive on Sunday afternoon in Greenville, South Carolina. The Greenville Police Department, in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, is investigating the 36-year-old's death. Preliminary findings from law enforcement have not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.
A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department confirmed that an acquaintance of Panettiere called 911. Medical assistance was administered at the scene, but the actress was pronounced deceased. A specific cause of death has not yet been revealed. A publicist for Panettiere stated that an investigation is ongoing and more information is expected soon.
Panettiere, who hailed from Palisades, New York, began her acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials before landing roles in daytime soaps such as "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light" in the 1990s. Her notable television work includes playing Claire Bennet in the NBC series "Heroes" and Juliette Barnes in "Nashville." She also gained recognition for her role as Kirby Reed in the "Scream" film franchise, reprising the character in 2023's "Scream VI."
In previous years, Panettiere had been open about her struggles with opioid and alcohol addiction, as well as postpartum depression. She previously shared that she had been hospitalized with jaundice and spent eight months in rehab in 2020, a period from which she emerged in 2021 feeling clearer-headed. A doctor had reportedly warned her that continued alcohol consumption could be fatal within five years.
Panettiere was a mother to an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with whom she shared custody with retired heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko. The couple had been together since 2009 and were engaged in 2013 before separating in 2018.
Her most recent acting credit is listed as the 2026 film "Sleepwalker."