American actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, her family confirmed.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, announced her death in a statement issued on behalf of the family on Monday and appealed for privacy as they mourn their loss.
He described Hayden as an “incredible light” who brought love and joy to those who knew her and to millions of viewers who watched her on screen.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child and went on to appear in numerous television and film productions.
She gained widespread recognition for playing Claire Bennet in the hit television series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series Nashville. She also featured in films including Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess and Scream 4.
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She later reprised her role as Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise, including the 2023 film.
Throughout her career, Panettiere spoke publicly about personal challenges, including postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, trauma, domestic abuse and grief.
Earlier this year, she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she reflected on her life away from the public spotlight.
In a 2022 interview with Good Morning America, she discussed her struggles with alcoholism and postpartum depression, saying she found it difficult to distinguish between the two experiences.
She also spoke about the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in February 2023 at the age of 28.
Panettiere’s career spanned television, film and voice acting, establishing her as a prominent child star who successfully transitioned into adult roles. No cause of death has been disclosed, and reports say the circumstances are under investigation.
