By NewsBino

American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died at the age of 36.

Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death to ABC News. She died on August 16, 2026, after emergency responders were called to a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where she was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest.

Hayden Panettiere’s Death Under Investigation

According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, first responders attempted to provide emergency medical assistance, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

An autopsy was completed the following day, with officials reporting that no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to her death.

The official cause and manner of death remain pending as authorities continue their investigation and await additional studies.

Authorities have not indicated that foul play was involved.

A Career That Began in Childhood

Panettiere began working in entertainment as a child and built a career spanning television, film and voice acting.

She became internationally recognized after playing Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010.

She later took on another major television role as Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a series that ran for six seasons. Her performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, Scream 4 and Scream VI. She also provided voice work earlier in her career, including a role in A Bug’s Life.

Panettiere Spoke Openly About Her Personal Struggles

In recent years, Panettiere became increasingly open about the challenges she experienced while growing up in the public eye.

Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published in 2026, explored aspects of her life, including fame, grief and personal struggles.

In interviews surrounding the memoir, she also spoke about difficult experiences following the birth of her daughter and the loss of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023.

Her willingness to discuss difficult periods in her life gave fans a more personal perspective on the woman behind some of television’s most recognizable characters.

Tributes Pour In

News of Panettiere’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues, friends and fans.

Actors and entertainers, including Connie Britton, Viola Davis, Selma Blair and Kim Cattrall, have shared tributes remembering Panettiere for her talent, warmth and impact on those around her.

Her father, Skip Panettiere, also asked for privacy as the family processes the loss.

Remembering Hayden Panettiere

From her early days as a child performer to her breakthrough role in Heroes and her acclaimed performance in Nashville, Panettiere established herself as a versatile actress who remained in the public spotlight for decades.

She leaves behind her daughter, Kaya, and a body of work that introduced her to audiences around the world.

Her death at just 36 has shocked the entertainment industry, particularly as she had recently been discussing her life and career while promoting her memoir.

As investigations into the circumstances of her death continue, fans and fellow performers are remembering Hayden Panettiere for the characters she brought to life and the career she built from childhood.

Hayden Panettiere was 36 years old.