Actress Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2026, at the age of 36 inside a loft apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, following a suspected overdose and cardiac arrest.
Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from an acquaintance at 1:51 pm describing the Nashville star as unresponsive, with paramedics performing chest compressions before pronouncing her dead at 2:32 pm at Judson Mill Lofts.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office confirmed that an autopsy found no signs of trauma on her body, while police and the coroner's office reported no preliminary signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
TMZ reported that Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse opioid overdoses, was discovered on a mattress inside the apartment where the actress was staying.
A spokesman for the City of Greenville Police Department confirmed that officers and EMS personnel responded to the property at 701 Easley Bridge Road, where medical assistance was administered prior to Panettiere being pronounced deceased at the scene.
Emergency Response and Investigation
During the emergency call, a female dispatcher initially reported that Panettiere was suffering from a cardiac arrest, before a male dispatcher stated moments later that she had suffered a suspected overdose.
The police spokesman stated: "The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner's Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms Panettiere placed the 911 call. At this time, no further details are available for release."
Judson Mill Lofts, where the star was staying, is a former textile mill dating back to 1912 that was recently converted into apartments, with rentals ranging from $1,295 to $3,485 per month.
Panettiere, who was set to celebrate her 37th birthday this Friday, had experienced physical health difficulties in the months preceding her death.
Representatives for the star released a statement on Sunday, announcing: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 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."
Struggles With Back Injury and Nerve Damage
In the months leading up to her death, Panettiere relied on crutches and assistance from others to walk as she dealt with a painful back injury.
In March, she was seen hobbling on crutches at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) alongside her ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson.
When asked about her mobility in footage obtained by the Daily Mail, Panettiere explained that she was suffering from "some pinched nerves in my lower back," but added she was "on the mend" while giving a thumbs-up before entering a black SUV.
Her physical difficulties continued into May, when video captured her walking with a visible limp in New York as her right leg caused her trouble.
Arriving at CBS Studios that same month to promote her memoir, Panettiere held an assistant's hand tightly for support as she walked into the building.
Opening up about the condition in a May interview with Women's Health, Panettiere described experiencing sudden nerve damage that left her fearing permanent paralysis.
"I quite literally woke up and felt nothing but pins and needles from my waist down," she told the magazine. "I wasn't able to bend my toes or lift my foot at all. No one was able to give me a solid answer."
She added: "It was like that for so long, that I was sitting there going, 'Oh my gosh, am I gonna be paralyzed for the rest of my... life?' It's the scariest thing that's ever happened to me physically, for sure."
Custody Battles and Postpartum Depression
Panettiere leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Following Kaya's birth in 2014, Panettiere suffered a life-threatening delivery involving severe hemorrhaging, seven blood transfusions, and surgery to repair failing blood vessels.
She recalled praying for her daughter's safety during the emergency, stating: "I closed my eyes and just prayed for my daughter to be OK. I truly was ready to go if it was my time. Kaya being safe and healthy was all that mattered."
Days later, Panettiere developed postnatal depression and turned to alcohol, explaining: "I turned to wine, which ultimately ended up leading to an alcohol dependency. It was how I would get through each day."
Although she sought treatment, she noted that the underlying depression was not addressed at the time, stating: "I wish more people had known what it was at the time. Maybe I wouldn't have waited so long to get help."
In 2018, while battling substance addiction and mental health challenges, Panettiere made the decision to sign over full custody of Kaya to Klitschko, who lived abroad.
Addressing the decision on Jay Shetty's podcast in May following the release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she defended her choice against public backlash.
"The idea that anyone would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking and couldn't be further from the truth," Panettiere said, adding that she was struggling with anxiety and postpartum depression while trying to act through it.
In one of her final interviews with parenting outlet Mome for its July cover story, she reiterated that giving up custody "wasn't a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make," explaining she needed to put her daughter first to get help.
Panettiere also detailed her ongoing connection with her daughter, describing Kaya as "like a mini-me" and expressing hope that her daughter would one day "understand my story and why I wasn't able to be with her all the time."
In her memoir, the actress also discussed her struggles with addiction throughout her 20s, industry pressure, and the loss of her younger brother Jansen.
Tributes and Career Highlights
News of Panettiere's death prompted tributes across social media from fellow actors and musicians.
Her Scream co-star Melissa Barrera shared an Instagram story with a broken heart emoji, writing: "Rest in peace sweet Hayden."
Actress Selma Blair commented on Panettiere's latest social media post: "I love you. Don't be gone. Don't be gone. Please. Please."
Singer JoJo wrote on Instagram: "This is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God," while TV personality Rosie O'Donnell shared a photograph with the caption: "Oh my god, heartbroken."
Panettiere began her career as a child actor in soap operas before gaining national recognition voicing Dot in Pixar's 1998 animated film A Bug's Life and starring alongside Denzel Washington in the 2000 sports drama Remember The Titans.
She went on to star in the 2006 comedy Bring It On: All Or Nothing, the comedy-drama film Raising Helen, and played character Kirby Reed in Scream 4 and Scream VI.
Her breakthrough television role came as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC superhero series Heroes, followed by six seasons starring as country music singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville.
Her work on Nashville earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress, while her vocal performances on the show produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
