Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36. Her spokesperson confirmed the actress’s death. Her father, Skip Panettiere, shared a statement, according to ABC News:

“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.”

He also asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.” Further details surrounding Hayden’s death were not initially disclosed.

Hayden Panettiere Made Her Mark on TV and Film

Hayden Panettiere began acting as a child and spent decades building a career in television and film. She rose to fame as Claire Bennet on Heroes and later starred as Juliette Barnes on Nashville.

Her film credits included Ice Princess, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Scream 4, and Scream VI. She also appeared in Remember the Titans, and the TV movie Amanda Knox.

Her Memoir Addressed Addiction, Depression, and Trauma

In May, Panettiere published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. In the book, she opened up about growing up in the spotlight, addiction, postpartum depression, trauma, domestic violence, and profound personal loss.

Frank Talk About the Difficult Years After Nashville

In 2022, Panettiere spoke openly about alcohol addiction and postpartum depression during an interview with Good Morning America. She reflected on the difficulty of distinguishing between the two experiences.

She also described the years following Nashville as particularly challenging. Despite those struggles, she eventually returned to the screen, reprising her role as Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise in 2023. Her return marked another chapter in a career defined by both success and resilience.

Her Daughter Kaya and the Loss of Her Brother Jansen

In her personal life, Panettiere was the mother of a daughter, Kaya Klitschko, who was born in 2014 during her relationship with Wladimir Klitschko.

Another devastating loss came in February 2023, when her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died at the age of 28. Hayden later spoke openly about her grief and the profound impact his death had on her.

Hayden Panettiere would have turned 37 just days after her death. Her passing marks the loss of an actress whose career began in childhood and who remained a familiar face on screen for decades.