Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville,' has died at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Actor Hayden Panettiere, widely recognized for her television roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville,' died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36 years old. Authorities discovered her unresponsive after a friend placed a 911 call, and she was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter.

Investigation and Circumstances

The Greenville Police Department reported that a friend found Panettiere unresponsive and contacted emergency services at approximately 1:50 p.m. Although emergency responders performed CPR and attempted advanced cardiac life support, she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. While emergency dispatch audio included references to a possible overdose and cardiac arrest, officials have not yet determined an official cause or manner of death. A preliminary investigation and an autopsy found no signs of foul play or trauma.

Personal History and Memoir

In the years preceding her death, Panettiere had been public regarding her struggles with mental health and substance use. In her memoir, 'This Is Me: A Reckoning,' published in May, she detailed her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction, and recovery. During a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, she discussed how she turned to alcohol to manage anxiety and panic attacks following the birth of her daughter and during her time filming 'Nashville,' noting that the substance eventually worsened her condition.

Tributes from Colleagues

Following the news of her death, colleagues and friends shared public tributes. Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 film 'Custody,' wrote on Instagram about her admiration for Panettiere's personal growth. Brit Shaw, a former costar on 'Nashville,' also posted on Instagram, recalling Panettiere's ability to make others feel welcome on set.