Hayden Panettiere has died in Greenville, South Carolina just days before her 37th birthday. Hayden is known for her work in the television series Heroes and Nashville and in the Scream movie franchise. She’s had a comeback in the past two years, and most recently starred in the films Amber Alert, A Breed Apart and Sleepwalker. In her memoir, which came out earlier this year, Hayden was open about her difficult childhood as her family’s breadwinner, about her battle with addiction following postpartum depression, and about her decision to give up custody of her daughter, Kaya, now 11, to Kaya’s father, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018. I covered her interviews at the time and was so impressed with the growth that she’s made. She was sober and reportedly no longer with her on-off abusive boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Unfortunately Brian flew with her from California to South Carolina the day before she died. It’s unknown if he was with her, however an unnamed person with her called 911. Greenville police and EMS responded to the scene, where she was pronounced deceased. Police say that the investigation is ongoing but that there are no “signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.” Here’s more on this very sad story, from NBC News:
Actor Hayden Panettiere, who was known for roles in television’s “Heroes” and “Nashville” and had recently published a memoir, has died, her father said in a statement Sunday night. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement provided by her representative.
The cause and manner of death were not provided. Her publicist, Kasey Kitchen, said Panettiere’s death was being investigated.
“There’s an investigation ongoing,” Kitchen said in a statement. “We should know more tomorrow.”
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, said in a statement that officers “accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female” at around 1:50 p.m. Sunday. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said in a statement.
“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call,” it said. The statement added that no further details were available for release at this time.
This hits really hard and I have a lump in my throat. I can’t believe she’s gone. I don’t want to speculate about how she passed and I only hope that it was painless. We’re thinking of her friends and family (not her awful mom though). She will be remembered for her work and her candor. Hayden told her story and it was a bestseller. I just wish it had a happy ending because she deserved that.
Update: TMZ is reporting that EMS “responded to a call that came in of a person in ‘cardiac arrest’ and an ‘unresponsive female.'” People Magazine is reporting that Hayden passed from an apparent overdose.
Photos credit: Avalon.red, Backgrid and Cover Images
Wow. I am…stunned. I’m so sorry for her family’s loss.
I was very sad to read this and when I read he was with her my mind went to a dark place (as am sure many others did considering how abusive he was to her).
May she finally find the peace that she struggled to find in life – thoughts are with her daughter, friends and family.
Mine, too. Especially hearing that she was with that man the day before, and maybe the day of, her death. It’s disheartening how many beautiful and accomplished women fall into the clutches of men like that. This news really gutted me today.
It’s equally disheartening when they aren’t “beautiful and accomplished.”
The reason “beautiful and accomplished” was highlighted was because most of us who are not beautiful or accomplished tend to stay in abusive relationships because we feel we don’t have many other options. I stayed in such a relationship for 25 years because I had neither the money nor pretty privilege to get out sooner. Obviously, abuse is wrong against anyone. I didn’t realize it needed to be said.
Abuse has nothing to do with how pretty, accomplished, famous or rich one is. No one should accept that behavior from their partner and yet people do, so so often.
@Harriet – And abusive relationships have nothing to do with the victim being accepting of abuse. The most dangerous time for a victim in an abusive relationship is when they leave and when they report to police so I beg you to sit there and consider that before blaming the victim of being “accepting” of what the monster on the other end is doing. There is often also the factoring in of children and what the abuser might do to them. Victims are often not believed because these psychopaths are absolutely charming to everyone else. I should know – I was in one of these relationships for 3 years. When he came to collect his things from my house when I broke up with him, I was absolutely terrified he was going to shoot me.
There is currently a trial going on in my town of a police officer who killed his girlfriend when she told him she was leaving.
@Mumster – Welcome to Celebitchy, where even the most heartfelt condolences are hijacked by whataboutism. It’s lovely here!
Really sad news.
What a shock. Such a tragedy.
Wow. I loved her in Heroes and was rooting for her. In a way I guess I still am, that however death came, it was fast and painless and she is at peace now.
Definitely a hard one to hear, especially considering how she seemed to be doing so well recently. I really appreciated how she was able to recognise that her daughter needed more than she could give her, and how forthcoming she was about that.
Yeah, this one stings.
This site generated some really sensitive, productive dialogue on addiction in response to the Brad Pitt story — and THIS is why. Acting so cavalier about relapse sends a really dangerous message — relapse for so many of us can have fatal consequences. Anyone in recovery knows why — and it’s not a moral failing. Addiction is so insidious, and it can sneak up on you looking so very manageable.
I am truly devastated for her, her daughter, and her family. With kindness, anyone struggling with addiction needs to be rigorous with the influences around them, no matter how much they love them.
Oh no! I’ve been following her since Heroes and loved her in Nashville. It broke my heart when her Nashville plotline and struggles with depression played out in real life. Rest in peace, Hayden. And condolences to your young daughter and loved ones.
Such shocking news! I’ve been a fan since she appeared on Guiding Light as a child. Just finished watching Heroes again. My condolences to her loved ones and friends.
Same here. Little Lizzie Spaulding.
That is where I remember from too. She was also in Remember the Titans and did a couple of L&O SVU episodes and was very compelling in those. She really could command the screen. I was rooting for her.
May her memory be a blessing to her daughter and her family.
What a terrible tragedy.
In the UK the media is referencing her struggles with mental health and addiction, but this site is the first I’ve seen that mentions that she was a victim of domestic abuse, and was with her abuser the day before she died.
It’s slightly odd that the UK media would mention post-partum depression from 12 years ago but keep the more recent domestic violence silent, particularly as she mentioned it in her book, and was still in such close contact with her abuser.
It’s shattering enough already that she’s passed, let’s hope there isn’t worse news to come.
TMZ has the 911 call audio and at the end a mans voice is heard saying ‘overdose CPR is progress’ – I think thats why the press are mentioning her addictions and the fact that she was complaining of back pain leading up to her death.
I hope she hadn’t relapsed but given she let that scum bag abuser back into her life who fed her addictions – I fear the worse.
Oh, this is such a grief. I just recently rewatched the whole run of “Nashville”, and she was such a talented singer, and actress too. This is a terrible waste of both a life and a gift.
May her memory be for a blessing, for all who love her.
I live in Greenville and I know the apartment complex she was found at. I will be keeping an eye on this story. So sad. She was so young.
Beyond tragic. Her life was so tumultuous and she finally seemed to have found a place of peace. For this to happen right as her life was falling into place feels extra unfair. Very, very sad news.
This is horrible and shocking news. So young and such a hard life to have lived. She was a beautiful talent and I pray that she can rest in peace and be remembered for the light and happiness she brought others in her short life. My prayers are also with her daughter and loved ones.
Her brother Jansen died 3 years ago with cardiac issues too.
What an awful surprise. This poor lady, I feel for her and her daughter. May she be at peace.
This one…💔….😭 poor Sweetheart 🥀
I will always think of her as the little girl in her SVU guest starring role.
She develops an unhealthy attachment to Liv, due to having a cold, absent, and distant mother.
It was so sad, and I wonder how much of her real life experiences contributed to the role.
The stories of her mom pushing her to go on audition after audition when she was just a little girl are awful.
May she rest in peace.
Stage parents should be put in jail. We can’t claim that we haven’t been told the reality of Hollywood. I’m glad she was able to say her truth.
A bit shameful how we act suprised about something we’ve always known. As we say in my culture, she was tired. She went to rest
I remember watching her as a kid myself in movies like “Remember the Titans.” What an outstanding actress who overcame so much, gone far too soon. I am so sad.
Child stars, man. I would never allow a kid of mine to be a performer. It messes them up. RIP, Hayden.
Rest in peace, Hayden. This is such heartbreaking news.
I gasped when I read it this morning. She seemed like she was on an upswing. I’ll always think of her as the little girl in Remember the Titans, though she was also great in Nashville. RIP
That’s how I always think of her, too!
😥
That was one of my favorite movies back in the day, probably because I went to see it with my future hubby.
🏈
I was so sorry to hear this. Her poor daughter. I hope Hayden is now at peace.
Unfortunately I was not shocked. So many people in her life did her wrong. She had the strength to try to fight the demons and it’s commendable and tragic that she tried to do what she thought was in the best interests of her child. RIP Hayden.
Same…I listened to her audiobook twice…and I could tell by the tone towards the end that she wasn’t finished with her unfortunate relationship with her abuser…she gave him SO MUCH GRACE…yet you could tell she was STILL trying to work it out…Lawd💔
And her mother who I think did the worst damage of all. The one person who should protect you all your life pushed and profited from her and cut her off when the money stopped
I find this to be so heartbreaking.
I’m so so sad about this. Poor Hayden.
This is absolutely tragic. That poor woman! So sorry.
This is so very sad…heartbreaking…she tried to make it in this often cruel world, and she just could not.
I have bipolar type one, and I can tell you, even without the issues that Hayden had with addiction and recovery, people are really struggling with all varieties of metal illness.
..and, as you may know, mental health resources are drying up.
But, reminder, that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line is available 24/7. There is a text function, too, if the caller can’t /doesn’t want to talk on the phone.
https://988lifeline.org/
I’ve had my moments, and the people at 988 are kind and knowledgable…no small thing!
I don’t know said, “Above all, be kind”, but let’s go with that. Love and support to Hayden’s family and friends.
This is tragic, and if it was an overdose, and her abusive ex who fed her addictions was around, I hope the police question him. Ugh.
Yes he absolutely has a part in this but unfortunately the cycle of abuse was started way before he entered the scene
Like others who posted earlier I gasped when I read the news, and actually called my sister. What an absolute tragedy. Hayden was an accomplished, talented and beautiful young woman whose work brought joy to many.
God cover and protect her young daughter. And to Hayden may you rest well and find the peace that you so deserved and didn’t get in this earthly realm reunited with your dear brother.
Ugh this is so awful on so many levels. Unfortunately when addicts suddenly start using again, their tolerance has often dropped significantly and so the usual doses they were taking can be too much for their body to handle. It seems like she was doing well as recently as a month or so ago, although we can never truly know what someone is going through. I do think it’s criminal how young she was when her mother forced her into acting and she spoke candidly about how being a child star affected her mental health and body image so it’s no wonder she developed serious mental illness and turned to substances to cope. Addiction is a lifelong illness, and I hope this forces those who are giving Brad Pitt a pass on falling off the wagon to gain a new perspective on just how dangerous that can be. It always starts with just a couple drinks, maybe a few pills, and then before you know it you’re fully back in the throes of it all.