American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her starring roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at the age of 36.
Panettiere’s death was confirmed by her family through her representative. She died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16.
Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Greenville Police Department said its preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy also found no signs of trauma. The investigation remains ongoing and an official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Panettiere rose to international prominence playing Claire Bennet, a cheerleader with regenerative powers, in the NBC superhero series “Heroes.”
She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in the musical drama “Nashville,” a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Her film credits included “Remember the Titans” and appearances in the “Scream” franchise. She also voiced Dot in Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” during her career as a child actor.
Panettiere published her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” earlier in 2026.
She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023. (Newswire)