Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36: Cause of death update after autopsy

Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36: Cause of death update after autopsy Nashville and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, as police launch and investigation and state there was 'no foul play' US actress Hayden Panettiere, who was best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died aged 36. Her death was confirmed by her representatives and followed by a statement. The statement from her father, Skip, read: “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.” The Coroner's office has now confirmed that Hayden's autopsy showed 'no signs of trauma' at the time of her death. It had been reported that the police were responding to a call about a suspected "cardiac arrest". A preliminary police investigation has confirmed there were no signs of "foul play or suspicious circumstances" when they arrived at her home after a 911 emergency call from an acquaintance of Panettiere's. Celebrities including Selma Blair, Viola Davis, Rosie O'Donnell, and singer JoJo have all paid tribute to the star as her former co-stars reach out across the globe. Her final interviews have also uncovered some of her candid recent comments as she discussed giving up custody of her daughter while struggling with postpartum depression and addiction. Key Events Emma Roberts, who appeared alongside Panettiere in films such as Scream 4 and The Architect, shared snaps of the two sharing an embrace. Roberts wrote: “Rest in peace my sweet friend. “You are so loved and will be forever missed.” Nico Tortorella, who also appeared in Scream 4, said: “I keep trying to write something, but there are too few words for you.” Beneath a photo of himself with Panettiere, the 38-year-old actor added: “I love you, I miss you and I’m sorry.” Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Panettiere in Ice Princess, shared a picture of her with “sweet Hayden” and said she was “gone far too soon”. Viola Davis, who featured alongside Panettiere in 2016 courtroom drama Custody, praised her as “an old, wise soul with such a deep heart” in a touching tribute on Instagram. Hollywood star Connie Britton said she has “has no words” after the death of Hayden Panettiere, who she hailed as “bursting with brilliance”. Panettiere, who starred as Britton’s fierce rival in country music drama Nashville, died aged 36 at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. Police said the US actress, who had struggled with addiction and her mental health, was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest, and there were “no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances”. A statement from Panettiere’s representatives on Monday said the star will be remembered by her family as an “incredible light” who brought “immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her”. Tributes poured in with co-star Britton among those “heartbroken” by the loss. The Emmy-nominated actress, who appeared alongside Panettiere in the US drama for nearly five years, shared images of her on set with her former co-star. “This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” she wrote. The 59-year-old actress, also known for Friday Night Lights and American Horror Story, continued: “I have no words for this sad song. “Just heartbreak.” “I love you girl. Sleep easy now,” she added, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. Bethany Joy Lenz, a long-time friend of Panettiere, said she was “crushed” by the death, and US actor Matt Lanter recounted working with her on sci-fi show Heroes. “We always had a great time on set and tons of laughs… Man, just too young,” he wrote beneath a picture of them together. Tim Allen said in a post on X: “I am shocked and so sad as the passing of Hayden Panettiere. She played my daughter in the movie Joe Somebody. The fondest memories of that movie were moments around her. She is a wonder and my prayers are with her family.” Brittany Snow, who played Panettiere’s on-screen sister for three years in the TV show Guiding Light, posted a throwback photo of the pair as children to her Instagram stories, captioning it: “I was lucky enough to play your sister for 3 years.“I related to you so much in so many ways. Ways that I never even told you. Your talent was remarkable & so was your determination to be a bold, bright shining light. And you were.” She said Panettiere was “always supportive, curious, funny and brave”, adding: “You will always be remembered undoubtedly for your undeniable strength and spirit.” US actress and activist Alyssa Milano, famed for roles on Charmed and Who’s The Boss?, posted a lengthy tribute reflecting on the “courage” of Panettiere and praising her campaign work for animal rights, and for standing with Ukrainians amid the Euromaidan protests. Milano added: “Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere. She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen. Hayden was a gifted actor, but that was only part of what she gave us. She used her voice. She showed up. She cared fiercely. “I hope that is remembered too, the way she chose to stand in the world when it mattered.” Hayden Panettiere had planned to visit her daughter, Kaya, in Ukraine prior to her death on Sunday, it has been revealed. Panettiere's hair stylist and friend Erick Orellana told Page Six on Monday that she had last seen the star only a few months ago. “She was talking about how she wanted to take a vacation, and that she wanted to go and see her daughter," Orellana said. "Her daughter was always her absolute priority. She loved her so much.” Legendary actress Kim Cattrall has paid tribute to her Ice Princess daughter. Taking to Instagram, the star shared a snap of herself alongside Hayden taken from the 2005 Disney movie. She said: "Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon," alongside a broken heart emoji. Alexa Vega has shared an Instagram post, honouring late child stars including Hayden, Daveigh Chase and Michelle Trachtenberg following their deaths over the last few years. She said: "Hayden, Michelle, Daveigh... My heart is heavy today. These aren't just names from my childhood. They're girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard. "We were kids navigating something so big, and not everyone had the foundation or support they deserved. Today, I'm grieving and holding their families close in my prayers and thinking of everyone still fighting battles we can’t see. Hug your people close today." A post-mortem examination was completed by the Greenville County coroner's office, which found that "no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death". The cause and manner of death have not been confirmed. A statement from Greenville police department said: "On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1.51pm, officers from the Greenville police department, accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Judson Mill Lofts, located at 701 Easley Bridge Road. "Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 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." Just three months before her death, Hayden spoke openly about her legacy. "I can hopefully leave the world a better place than I found it," she said. Writing in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she added: "So many people have come up to me within the industry and outside of the industry and shared their stories with me and said, 'Because you've talked about your mental health, it gave me the courage to be honest about mine and get myself help, and you saved my life.' And I was like, this is worth it... the strength is in our vulnerability." Hayden made her debut in a toy commercial when she was just 11 months old. From her soap opera beginnings and early breakout roles in which she held her own opposite acting legends, Panettiere had an undeniable presence that would lead to starring roles on both the small and big screens. Here are some of her most memorable films and television shows: A Bugs Live, Remember the Titans, Ice Princess, Bring It On: All Or Nothing, Heroes, I Love You, Beth Cooper, The Cove, Nashville, Scream VI. Actress Jenna Ortega has taken to Instagram, sharing a snap of a young Hayden. She wrote: "This is such a devastating loss. Rest well." TMZ has released images that show a huge red fire engine truck responded to the 911 call. Images showed the vehicle was parked outside the Greenville, South Carolina residence where Panettiere was found unresponsive. Along with the fire truck outside the building were two ambulances, and later a coroner's van was also snapped parked outside. It is unclear at this time why the fire engine was called to the property along with the other emergency vehicles. Panettiere's memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, revealed she had ended her professional relationship with her mother, Lesly Vogel, as a teenager. Vogel, a soap opera actress had encouraged her daughter's early career and was her manager until she was a teenager, in recent years they have been estranged. Speaking to US Weekly earlier this year, Panettiere said of her relationship with her mother: "Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now. "But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day.” At the time of the release of Panettiere's book, Vogel told Page Six: “After 20 years of trauma, I took the advice of professionals and chose the no-contact route. As many parents of entertainment children [know], we are all too familiar with the painful observation of watching the self-destructive paths they sometimes choose. No parent hopes for this scenario; we want our children to be the best of themselves and live a peaceful, joyful life! “Sadly, this is out of our control. You cannot save someone who does not want to be saved. Radical acceptance is the most difficult challenge any parent must embrace. Unfortunately, I have seen a great deal of such in my life experience.” Panettiere played the part of Juliette Barnes, a country music starlet, on the show Nashville, and previously revealed how her character arc in the show became 'mushed' with her own real life story. "Oh, I mean, it was everything. In the beginning, I thought, wow, this is just a coincidence [her Nashville series four storyline]. You know, whether it was the - in the beginning of playing Juliette, it was me struggling with a mother-daughter relationship, a very toxic mother-daughter relationship. "I thought that was just a coincidence. And then it started being dating, you know, football players. And then it went into postpartum depression and alcoholism and drug addiction and really, really dark subject matter that I was struggling with in real life. "And having to go to set every day and play that out as her, I stopped being able to tell where the character started and where, you know, I ended. Like, we were just mushed together," she said in an interview with NPR. In audio of a 911 call made on Sunday at 13:51, a female dispatcher described a woman suffering from a suspected "cardiac arrest," reports TMZ. "From a very young age, I lost the chance to have a normal childhood, friends, relationships, and my privacy," Panettiere wrote in her revealing autobiography, This Is Me published earlier this year. The star began appearing in adverts at just 11 months old, and appeared in TV series and soaps such as One Life To Live, Guiding Light, and Ally McBeal when she was a child in the 90s. She revealed to The Hollywood Reporter while promoting the book: "I think it’s the way I was raised. I was groomed. I was like a little soldier and I always have been. No was never an option. It was just, here are your scenes, here’s your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do. I took my marching orders." When asked how she realised it was abnormal she said: "When I started self-harming in the form of substance abuse. My people pleasing had built up and up, it was anger and anxiety and frustration. My life revolved around other people, and I lived to make other people happy and I was the last one on the list. "The pressure of that built and built and just exploded. I started figuring out any way I could get through it. Sometimes they’ll say in treatment that, believe it or not, our addictions probably saved us at a certain point." In her book released earlier this year, the actress spoke about her experience with domestic abuse. She revealed in one chapter, how the abuse escalated with her ex Brian Hickerson: "The slaps became hits. One night, he busts up my face so badly I don’t leave the house for weeks.” In 2021 he was sentenced to 45 days in jail and pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring Panettiere. After the release of her book Hickerson told TMZ: “I got arrested for, you know, abusing her, and I wouldn’t blame her friends for being p****d off at me.” He then praised Panettiere for speaking out: “Hayden’s book’s incredible,” he said. “I think it’s great. I think everyone should read it. I mean, the domestic violence stuff my chapter, everybody should read it.” It has now reported that Police were called to Panettiere's home after a 'suspected cardiac arrest'. TMZ reported that Panettiere was was found dead by a friend inside a home in Greenville, South Carolina. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that Emergency Medical Service workers were responding to a call from the friend concerning a person in "cardiac arrest" and an "unresponsive female." They reported that attempts were made to resuscitate Panettiere using "advanced cardiac life support" and added that this could include treatments such as; breathing tubes, heart rhythm tracking, and special medicines - in addition to CPR. In May, while speaking to US Weekly, Panettiere said that after having a medical emergency while birthing her daughter Kaya in 2015, she was no longer afraid of death. "I was shocked, because I grew up with this major fear of death. On the one hand I should have been terrified, but on the other hand, it was becoming a mother in that moment and a person is born that you are willing to do anything for, to lay your life down for. "I remember looking up, praying and saying, 'God, just let me hear my daughter cry. Let me know that she’s OK, and if it’s my time to go, then I’m OK with that, as long as she’s good.'" Bryan Fuller, who was a co-executive producer, writer and former consulting producer of Heroes, has shared a tribute to the late star. "SAVE THE CHEERLEADER, SAVE THE WORLD," began the message, using the show's tagline that referred to Panettiere's immortal cheerleader character Claire. "It was an honor and an inspiration to write Claire Bennet’s storyline in season one of HEROES. Hayden was more than an actress she was a muse. "Wise beyond her years and already saddled with so much of a life, she left an indelible mark on me as a writer and a storyteller. Incredibly sad news." While promoting her book with US Weekly in May, Panettiere revealed she was bisexual. She told the outlet: "Now that I know that this book is coming out, and that I’ve chosen to share it with the world, I’m comfortable to confidently say that yes, I am bisexual. I said it! This is the first time I got to say it out loud." She further explained: "That’s something about me I was never able to share with the world, because it was just never the right time. It was either I was too young, and I was being forced to be perfect at all times. I was not encouraged to just be myself. Then came the period where it felt like people coming out, especially women, saying that they were bisexual or liked girls, was a fad. "I was afraid that if I was honest, it was going to be like me jumping on the bandwagon. It was a very difficult topic to articulate properly. It’s sad I had to wait until I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?" When speaking about dating women she said: "Yeah, I did. It was scary, though, because there were paparazzi always waiting for me outside, to follow me everywhere. I had very little privacy. I have dated women. I was much more into women even as a child than I was men. I have explored it, but because I hadn’t shared this with anybody, I didn’t really have the courage to throw myself fully emotionally into it. Because then if I did fall in love, that wasn’t something that I wanted to ever have to hide." Taking to X, Kathryn Henzler, has revealed that she had a wonderful interaction with Panettiere while working as a background actor on Scream 4. "I want to share something about Hayden Panettiere that will forever stay with me. My twin sister and I were background actors on the set of Scream 4, and were in the scene where Stab-A-Thon takes place in a barn. It was hot, dark, and buggy the whole night we were shooting... "...yet Hayden was nothing but nice to everyone around her, even chatting with background actors and complimenting their acting choices. Super professional, supremely talented, and just a lovely person to be on set with in the not-so-great conditions. Humble, kind, gone too soon," she shared on X, garnering over 5k likes. Michelle Trachtenberg and Hayden Panettiere were the lead co-stars in The Ice Princess, a 2005 family film abour competitive figure skating. Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at the age of 39 with medical reports confirming her primary cause of death was from complications of diabetes. Panettiere's cause of death has not yet been confirmed. Fans have pointed out the tragic coincidence that both stars of the film have died so young. "Ice princess quite literally shaped my entire childhood growing up and now both actress who stared in that very film are now longer here. this so incredibly sad omg," said one fan on X. "Rest in peace to these ice princesses," said another with a broken heart emoji. "Forever michelle and hayden." Heather Matarazzo, who played Lily Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries shared an image of herself with Hayden with a heartfelt tribute. "Devastated…… We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light….. Love you, Hayden." Singer JoJo wrote on her Instagram Stories: “This is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God”. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell shared a picture of Panettiere on Instagram with the caption: “Oh my god – heartbroken.” Jay Shetty, who interviewed Panettiere not long before her death commented on a post from Variety on Instagram: "Truly heartbroken by this news." On the same post, actor Don Benjamin also commented: "Damn! Worked with her on Heroes. What a kind soul. RIP" Singer Lizzy McAlpine commented: "Omfg" on the post, and actress Greer Grammer, who appeared in Awkward and whose father is Kelsey Grammer, said: "oh my god this is just absolutely devastating. I can’t believe it." SAG-AFTRA also shared on X: "We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere. A child actor, Hayden's long career in TV & film included memorable roles in 'Heroes,' 'Nashville' & more. Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans. #RIP. #SagAftraMember since 1994." Panettiere's death at the age of 36, comes just three years after her younger brother Jansen Panettiere died at the age of 28. Jansen died of natural causes with his death certificate revealing that he died from cardiomegaly (the medical term for an enlarged heart) along with aortic valve complications. "He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him,” Hayden told People Magazine in 2024. “When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul.” She added: "I will always be heartbroken about it. I will never be able to get over it...No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss." Panettiere released her memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning earlier this year in which she detailed her relationship with her daughter Kaya, 11, after losing custody of her six years ago to her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, 50. “Not being under the same roof with her every day has been the most gut-wrenching experience of my life, and it’s hard to describe the layers of emotion – including sadness, resentment, and anger – I’ve felt because of it,” she wrote in her book. “I grieve that I’m not the mother I thought I’d be and definitely not the mother I want to be (trust me, no one should ever have to raise a child on FaceTime), and although I miss Kaya so much my heart aches, I know how blessed I am to be her mom. “She is the greatest gift of my life, with all the best parts of her father and me.” One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz, has shared a tribute to her friend of several decades: "There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But Im here with my head in my hands and I don’t know what else to do in aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue. "I’m crushed. I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing. She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera. "And she’d sit with you for a great conversation, then giggle and go play. We’d connect on and off over the years, like the cousin in the family reunion who got famous and life moved her away—but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths. We’d make a pact to talk soon. Lunch. Dinner. Somewhere we could curl up into a corner—but we never quite made it happen. I mostly stayed up to date through mutual friends. "I dont understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real."These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years. I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always." Police have now confirmed that they have found "no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances". Detectives then confirmed that they responded to a 911 emergency call about an "unresponsive female" at an apartment block in Greenville, South Carolina. A spokesman for City of Greenville Police told the Daily Mail: "On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1.51pm, officers from the Greenville Police Department, accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Judson Mill Lofts, located at 701 Easley Bridge Road. "Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene. "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." In her final post on Instagram, Panettiere’ shared an image on 27 July, smiling with her friend, photographer and director Randall Slavin. Joining the celebrities paying tribute to Panettiere, Slavin later reposted the black-and-white image to his Instagram Stories, writing: “Peace be with you, H.” 7th Heaven’s Beverley Mitchell also commented on Panettiere’s final Instagram post: “Praying the news is wrong! You are such a bright light and soooo loved!!!!” Scream co-star Melissa Barrera paid tribute to the actress in an Instagram story, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” alongside a broken heart emoji. Singer JoJo wrote on her Instagram Stories : “This is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God”. Viola Davis, 61, who appeared alongside Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama film Custody, took to social media to share her tribtue to Panettiere. "What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart.I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. "I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. "You will be remembered. Rest well. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name…” Davis’ husband Julius Tennon also appeared in the film with them, playing a court officer. Legally Blonde actress Selma Blair, 54, has led tributes to the acterss with heartbreaking messages shared on Panettiere's Instagram. "I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone . Please. Please," read one comment from the star on Panetierre's last Instagram post. Then she shared: "I love you whale tail my friend." An hour later she shared: "I’m dying. Please be here."