She was found unresponsive on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had been temporarily staying. Emergency responders and EMS arrived after a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest around 1:51 p.m. They located her in cardiac arrest and initiated advanced cardiac life support measures, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy completed on Monday, August 17, found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death. The official cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and additional studies. Police have stated that a preliminary investigation indicated no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance placed the 911 call.
Panettiere was born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York. She rose to fame as a child actress, with early roles including the voice of Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life and a part in the film Remember the Titans. She achieved widespread recognition for portraying Claire Bennet, the indestructible cheerleader, in the NBC series Heroes, and later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville. She also appeared in the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed in Scream 4 and Scream VI, among other film and television projects. Earlier this year she released a memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she openly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, and other personal challenges.
She is survived by her daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, who is 11 years old. Kaya was born on December 9, 2014, to Panettiere and her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere had previously spoken about relinquishing custody of her daughter amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction.
In a statement shared by her representative, her father, Skip (Alan) Panettiere, said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Further details on the cause of death are expected as the investigation continues.