Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies At 36

American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.

Her representative confirmed her death to ABC News oo Monday, August 17, 2026.

No details about the cause or circumstances of her death were immediately disclosed.

Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, described his daughter as a remarkable person who brought happiness and love to those around her.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said in a statement.

“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.”

Her father also asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Hayden Panettiere built a long career in television and film after entering the entertainment industry as a child.

She gained widespread recognition for playing Claire Bennet in the hit television series Heroes. She later starred as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama Nashville.

Her other film credits included Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess and Scream 4.

She also returned as Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise, appearing in the 2023 film.

Throughout her life, Panettiere spoke publicly about some of the personal challenges she faced.

In May, she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she discussed several difficult experiences, including postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, trauma, domestic abuse and grief.

In a 2022 interview with Good Morning America, she spoke about her struggles with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression.

Panettiere said she had difficulty separating the effects of postpartum depression from her battle with alcoholism and admitted that she had pushed herself too hard.

She also described the period after Nashville as particularly challenging, saying she needed to step away from the spotlight.

Panettiere was the mother of one daughter, Kaya Klitschko, born in 2014 during her relationship with former fiancé and heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.

The actress also faced the painful loss of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died suddenly in February 2023 at the age of 28.

His family said he died from an enlarged heart and complications involving his aortic valve.

Hayden later spoke about the impact of her brother’s death, saying she would continue to feel the pain of losing him regardless of how much time passed.

Hayden Panettiere’s death was announced just days before her 37th birthday.

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