‘Scream 6’ & ‘Heroes’ Star Dies at 36, Fans Send Tributes

Hayden Panettiere spent nearly three decades in the public eye, growing from a child actor into one of television’s most recognizable faces through her breakout role as cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s ‘Heroes.’ That performance helped define the show’s early seasons and turned Panettiere into a household name well before she reached her twenties, following an already established career as a child performer.

Her career continued expanding from there, taking her into film with ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ and later back to television as country singer Juliette Barnes on ‘Nashville,’ a role that earned her multiple award nominations across the show’s run. She also returned to the horror genre that helped shape her career as a child, appearing in both ‘Scream 4’ and ‘Scream VI,’ along with a title role in the 2011 Lifetime telefilm ‘Amanda Knox.’

Panettiere died Sunday at the age of 36, according to a statement provided to ABC News by her representative. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the news, saying it was with profound sadness that the family shared the tragic passing of their beloved Hayden, describing her as an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to everyone who knew her, as well as to the millions who watched her on screen. He asked for privacy as the family processes the loss.

According to TMZ, law enforcement sources confirmed police responded to an incident involving Panettiere on Sunday, and an investigation into her death remains open. Her publicist, Kasey Kitchen, told NBC News that the investigation was ongoing and more details were expected in the following days. No official cause of death has been released.

Panettiere had spoken openly in recent years about mental health challenges she faced following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014 with former partner Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion she was on and off with between 2009 and 2018. She revealed she struggled with postpartum depression and addiction, struggles she said ultimately factored into her decision to give up custody of her daughter in 2018.

Those experiences became central to her memoir, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning,’ released in May 2026. The 320-page book detailed her journey as a child star, her battles with addiction and postpartum depression, and her path toward healing, generating headlines over its candid revelations about her life and past relationships, including her romance with Klitschko.

Panettiere is survived by her parents, Skip and Lesley, and her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28 from aortic valve complications caused by enlarged heart syndrome, a loss Hayden had spoken about publicly in the years since.

She previously told People that she would always be heartbroken over her brother’s death, saying no matter how many years passed, she would never fully get over losing him. In a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter tied to her memoir’s release, Panettiere discussed how carefully she approached writing about the people in her life, noting she leaned on her team, including her publicist and close friend, when deciding how much to share.

As tributes continue coming in from fans and colleagues across the industry, Panettiere leaves behind a body of work spanning nearly her entire life, from her earliest child acting roles through her most recent film and television appearances.

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