Actress Hayden Panettiere, star of 'Heroes' and 'Nashville,' dies at 36

American actress Hayden Panettiere, who gained fame for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and "Nashville," has died at the age of 36. Her representative confirmed the tragic news, and her family issued a statement expressing profound sorrow.

"She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to everyone who knew her and to the millions of people who saw her on screen," the family's statement read. Panettiere's career in the entertainment industry began in her childhood. She lent her voice to the Pixar film "A Bug's Life" in 1998.

Her popularity surged in 2006 with her portrayal of Claire Bennet in the NBC series "Heroes." During that period, she met actor Milo Ventimiglia. Later, she entered a relationship with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she had her only daughter in 2014. Following their separation, Panettiere spoke about experiencing postpartum depression.

Despite her professional success, Panettiere faced personal hardships in recent years. In February 2023, her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, also an actor, died suddenly at the age of 28 due to a heart condition. The cause of Hayden Panettiere's death has not yet been disclosed.