An actor who worked with Panettiere on her final film project shared observations about her emotional state during shooting. The co-star, who maintains long-term recovery from substance-related issues, perceived indications that the actress was experiencing significant personal distress. Though he described her as genuine and compassionate on set, he detected underlying loneliness and what appeared to be battles with addiction.

The actress had previously been candid about her own struggles, including addiction issues and postpartum depression, in both media interviews and a recently published autobiography. Her former partner, boxer Wladimir Klitschko—who remains connected to her as the father of their shared child—released a statement expressing his grief and acknowledging her lasting importance to him. The medical investigation into her death at age 36 is continuing.