Hayden Panettiere, who became a household name as a teenager for her role in Heroes and later starred in Nashville and multiple Scream films, has died at age 36.
Panettiere was pronounced dead at a South Carolina apartment Sunday, August 16. A cause of death has not been revealed, but an autopsy showed no signs of trauma. Toxicology reports are pending and could take up to 12 weeks, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
A newly released incident report states that the 911 call was made by Brian Hickerson, 37, who is referred to as Panettiere’s boyfriend. His brother Zach Hickerson was also present on the scene.
Brian Hickerson reportedly turned over a “bag of medication” belonging to Panettiere to the police, but the contents of that bag has so far been redacted. The Independent has approached police for further information.
The actor’s father, Skip, confirmed Panettiere’s death in a heartbreaking statement to ABC News. Panettiere’s ex-fiance, Wladimir Klitschko said he was “deeply saddened” by the news but vowed to make sure the couple’s daughter, Kaya, “remembers the person” Panettiere was.
Dozens of Panettiere’s co-stars including Connie Britton, Tim Allen, Viola Davis and Melissa Barrera have offered heartfelt tributes to the two-time Golden Globe nominee on social media.
Among her most memorable roles were Sheryl Yoast in the 2000 Denzel Washington-led film Remember the Titans, high school cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s sci-fi drama Heroes (2006-2010), and aspiring country singer Juliette Barnes on the hit TV series Nashville (2012-2018).
Her New York Times bestselling memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, was published in May this year, in which she looked back at her childhood in Hollywood and her experiences with addiction, postpartum depression, abusive relationships, and the loss of custody of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Hayden Panettiere dead: Heroes and Nashville star dies aged 36
Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, has died aged 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Panettiere’s father, Skip said in a statement to ABC News. “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.”
No cause of death was announced.
Shahana Yasmin17 August 2026 05:06
Wladimir Klitschko breaks silence over ex-fiancée’s death
In an Instagram post, Wladimir Klitschko wrote: “Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief.
“The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.
“She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.
“To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon.
“I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.
“Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace. #WeLoveYouHayden”
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 14:44
Incident report confirms Brian Hickerson and brother called police
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, have released an incident report revealing further details about the circumstances of Panettiere’s death.
As local station WYFF4 reports, Panettiere died in an apartment at Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road.
Brian Hickerson, 37, who is referred to as Panettiere’s boyfriend, was also present at the apartment with his brother, Zach.
According to the report, the men say they made the 911 call.
The report also states that Brian Hickerson turned over a bag of Panettiere’s medications, but the list of those medications was redacted.
The police officer who wrote the report also noted: “I observed ZACH to be very emotional while EMS [Emergency Medical Services] were working on HAYDEN. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.”
Kevin Perry18 August 2026 18:35
Panettiere’s ‘Remember the Titans’ co-star reveals he smoked heroin at film’s premiere: ‘I believed I wouldn’t wake up’
Ethan Suplee has paid tribute to his Remember the Titans co-star Hayden Panettiere, sharing how her “energy and innocence” briefly healed him during a difficult period.
Sharing an old photo of him holding Panettiere at the film’s red carpet premiere, Suplee recalled on Instagram how she “ran up to me, leaped into my arms, and gave me a big hug.”
“Holding her I was lighter, some of her energy and innocence washed over me, and for a moment my smile was genuine,” he added in the caption, revealing that soon after, he “went from the press line to the bathroom and smoked heroin.”
Kevin Perry18 August 2026 18:16
Panettiere’s ‘Bring It On: All or Nothing’ co-star Solange Knowles pays tribute
Knowles, who co-starred with Panettiere in the 2006 film, shared a series of photos Tuesday on her Instagram Story.
“We had so many parallels in our lives, and the world watched u so courageously live in your radical truth telling your story. We watched your endless quest for vulnerability, and healing,” Knowles wrote.
“The light surrounds you now. Rest easy, Hayden.”
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 17:56
Panettiere said she had ‘a lot of life left to live’
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 17:43
Jay Shetty is ‘devastated and heartbroken’ over Panettiere
Podcaster Shetty shared a tribute on social media Tuesday, months after he sat with Panettiere for what would turn out to be one of her final interviews.
“I’ve been devastated and heartbroken since I heard the news. I’m in shock and have been processing for the past day on your legacy and our loss,” he wrote.
“Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of sitting down with you on On Purpose. After the episode you told me it was truly healing. You said I was now like a big brother to you and that I helped you be brave,” he continued.
“But Hayden, you were the brave one. You were courageous, resilient, and so incredibly strong through so many difficult moments in your life. You should never have had to experience the things you did.”
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 17:29
Another ‘Heroes’ star pays tribute: ‘Goodbye Hayden’
Jimmy Jean-Louis, who played The Haitian on Heroes with Panettiere, honored his co-star on social media.
“It was an honor to protect Claire Bennett for 4 unforgettable seasons. Goodbye Hayden,” he wrote.
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 17:10
Neutrogena under fire again for dropping Panettiere after she revealed postpartum depression struggle
In the months before her death, Panettiere spoke about the skincare brand ending her contract after 10 years following her comments about mental health made on live TV.
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 16:56
Panettiere’s history of postpartum depression
Hayden Panettiere spoke candidly about how she wishes she had known about the risk of postpartum depression after giving birth to her daughter, Kaya.
In an interview with E! News’ The Rundown, Panettiere shared how turning to alcohol to deal with postpartum depression made “everything worse”.
“I wish I knew about postpartum depression. I wish I knew to look out for it. I just thought there was something seriously wrong with me, so I thought, ‘Fireball will fix this – duh!’ and it didn’t. It does for a moment, but then it makes everything worse.”
The actor said she did not learn about postpartum depression before her pregnancy, which made the experience even more isolating.
“I wish somebody told me it’s OK if you birth your child and you’re not immediately like, ‘Oh my god, I love you more than anything in the entire world!’”
Caitlin Hornik18 August 2026 16:41
