Hayden Panettiere Dies: “Heroes,’ ‘Nashville’ & ‘Scream’ Star Was 36; Update With Police Statement
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Actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's "Heroes" and country singer Juliette Barnes in ABC's "Nashville," has died at the age of 36. Her death was confirmed by her representative and by her father, Skip Panettiere, who asked for privacy as the family grieves. Police said she died at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, and that foul play is not suspected.
According to police dispatch audio obtained by TMZ, a friend called 911 around 1:50pm on Sunday to report an unresponsive woman; medics discussed a possible overdose and cardiac arrest, and paramedics were unable to resuscitate her at the scene. Panettiere had spoken openly for years about her struggles with depression, postpartum depression and addiction to alcohol and opioids, including being sent antidepressants at 15 and later placing her daughter Kaya in the care of her father, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018 while she battled addiction. Born in 1989, she began her career as a child actress before rising to fame in "Heroes," "Nashville" and the "Scream" film franchise.
- Actress Hayden Panettiere has died aged 36 in South Carolina.
- Police say no foul play suspected; overdose discussed by medics.
- She had long spoken publicly about addiction and depression struggles.
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Actress Hayden Panettiere rose to fame as a child performer before landing her best-known role as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC superhero drama "Heroes", and later starring as country singer Juliette Barnes in ABC's "Nashville". She also appeared in the "Scream" horror film franchise. Born in 1989, she had been a familiar face in American film and television for over two decades.
In recent years Panettiere had spoken publicly about her mental health and addiction struggles, including depression, postpartum depression, and dependency on alcohol and opioids. She previously placed her daughter, Kaya, in the care of the girl's father, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018 while she sought treatment. This history has been part of the public conversation around her life and career for several years.
More coverage
- GameSpot — Hayden Panettiere, Heroes And Kingdom Hearts Star, Dies At 36
- Polygon — Hayden Panettiere, Star of Heroes and Kingdom Hearts, Dies at 36