Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36 after being found unresponsive at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon.
Initial information from local authorities attributes her death to cardiac arrest resulting from a substance overdose. Emergency medical services and officers from the Greenville Police Department arrived at the scene following a call reporting an unresponsive woman.
A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department stated that first responders administered medical assistance upon arrival. However, Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
In an audio recording of the emergency call, a woman described Panettiere to the dispatcher as having suffered cardiac arrest. Minutes later, a male dispatcher stated that the actress had taken an overdose.
Police investigation and preliminary findings
Police officers and the coroner are continuing to investigate the death. Authorities reported that a preliminary investigation found no signs of criminal activity or suspicious circumstances.
Following the news of her passing on August 17, entertainment outlet Page Six highlighted recent statements made by the star, noting that she had been sharing optimistic plans for her future just weeks prior to her death.
Tributes began to emerge from across the entertainment community following the announcement. Actress Kim Cattrall paid tribute to Panettiere, saying that she had left far too soon.
Memoir and final podcast interview
Just months before her death, in May 2026, Panettiere spoke openly about her life, recovery, and aspirations during an appearance on the podcast On Purpose With Jay Shetty.
The appearance coincided with the promotion of her memoir, titled This Is Me, in which she detailed her personal struggles. In what became one of her final interviews, Panettiere reflected on her prolonged battle with addiction, the painful loss of her brother, and the difficult periods she had endured throughout her life.
During the podcast conversation, Panettiere proudly expressed that she finally felt she had managed to leave behind all the darkness and negativity that had previously surrounded her.
She explained that she felt one chapter of her life had closed while a new one was opening. Panettiere confided that she saw many exciting prospects ahead and felt she still had a lot of life left to live.
Career in television and film
Panettiere gained widespread international recognition for her prominent roles across television and film. She rose to fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the hit NBC superhero drama series Heroes, which debuted in 2006.
She later starred as country music singer Juliette Barnes in the drama series Nashville, a performance that earned her critical acclaim and major award nominations. Panettiere also featured prominently in cinema, portraying Kirby Reed in the popular Scream slasher film franchise.
