Gayle King recalls Hayden Panettiere's last interview: 'clearly, she was still struggling'

Gayle King, host of "CBS Mornings," shared her reflections on her final interview with actress Hayden Panettiere, expressing sadness over the star's passing. King recounted that just three months prior, Panettiere had visited her show, and during their conversation, it was evident that the actress was still grappling with emotional instability.

King described waking up to the news of Panettiere's death at 36 as "very hard." She remembered the actress as a "wonderful person" and noted that Panettiere would have turned 27 on the upcoming Friday. The host recalled speaking with Panettiere off-camera after their interview, where the actress claimed to be doing better. However, King perceived otherwise, stating, "clearly, she was still struggling, going through a hard time."

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When she was here, in the studio, that day and I spoke with her off camera, she told me she felt she was in a good moment, clearly, she was still struggling, going through a hard time, it was difficult when she was here that day.

Emergency services were called to Panettiere's residence in Greenville County, where the 911 caller reported she had suffered cardiac arrest, potentially linked to an overdose. Official confirmation of the cause of death awaits the results of an autopsy by the county coroner. Panettiere's passing has prompted widespread tributes and reflections on the challenges faced by individuals in the public eye.

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Waking up and hearing this news was very hard, she was a wonderful person.