Actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 in South Carolina

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of award-winning actress Hayden Panettiere, who passed away at her home in South Carolina on Sunday, August 16, 2026. She was 36 years old.

Emergency services were alerted to the situation around 1:50 PM when an individual known to the actress found her unresponsive. Despite resuscitation efforts, she could not be revived. The Greenville Police Department confirmed her death, stating that the investigation into the exact causes and circumstances is ongoing in collaboration with the county's Medical Examiner's Office. At this time, there are no indications of foul play.

Panettiere's father confirmed her death in a statement to ABC News, expressing profound sadness and remembering her as "an incredible light and a force of nature who brought so much love and joy to everyone she knew and to millions who watched her on screen." He requested privacy for the family during this "unimaginable loss."

Known for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and "Nashville," Panettiere began her career as a child actor. In her May autobiography, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," she candidly discussed the challenges of her early career, her relationship with her mother, and the trauma stemming from a difficult childbirth in 2014. She also revealed her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction, noting that she had been battling substance issues since her early twenties. Panettiere had a daughter, Kaya, with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

“

With deep sadness, we announce the tragic death of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought so much love and joy to everyone she knew and to millions who watched her on screen.