'Such devastating news': Stars pay tribute to Heroes and Scream star Hayden Panettiere, dead aged 36

Beloved US actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in the TV shows Heroes, Nashville as well as the Scream films, has died aged 36.

Her father Skip Panettiere described her as an “incredible light and a force of nature.”

He said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter: “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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

The cause of her death was not immediately available. TMZ reports that Panettiere flew out of LA the day before her death with on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson.

“Police responded to an incident involving Hayden today and there is currently an open investigation,” South Carolina police said.

Panettiere, who would have turned 37 on Friday, began her career as a child actor, and was just four years old when she appeared on US soap opera One Life To Live. She then made her film debut at nine years old, voicing a young ant called Dot in Pixar's 1998 film A Bug's Life.

Her breakout role came when she starred as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero series Heroes in 2006. She went on to play Juliette Barnes in Nashville and then fan favourite Kirby Reed in Scream 4 in 2011 and Scream VI in 2023.

Her performance in Nashville earned Panettiere two Golden Globe nominations.

Panettiere’s Scream VI co-star Melissa Barrera was one of the first to pay tribute to the star writing on her Instagram story: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” alongside a broken heart emoji.

Legally Blonde star Selma Blair wrote: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.”

Actor Beverley Mitchell, who featured in US television series 7th Heaven, added: “Praying the news is wrong! You are such a bright light and soooo loved”.

Singer JoJo wrote on her Instagram stories: “This is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God.”

Bryan Fuller, the writer behind TV shows Pushing Daisiesand Hannibal, wrote on Heores’ acclaimed first season. He described it as “an honour and an inspiration” to set the blueprint for Hayden Panettiere’s cheerleader character.

“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.”

Actors' union SAG-AFTRA, of which the actress had been a member since 1994, wrote in a statement: "We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere. A child actor, Hayden’s long career in TV & film included memorable roles in Heroes, Nashville and more. Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans."

Many fans have posted their tributes on Panettiere’s final Instagram post - in which she is seen sharing a hug with director Randall Slavin.

"I can’t believe you’re gone. You were such a huge inspiration to me, and I’ll always be grateful for the joy and memories you gave us through your work. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten," wrote one fan, while another commented: " This one hits so hard. I’m so sorry you struggled most of your life, rest in ever lasting peace."

The struggles mentioned refer to Panettiere battling with addiction, recovery and postpartum depression.

Earlier this year, Panettiere released her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning", in which she opened up about her struggles with mental health, the death of her younger brother Jansen Panettiere who died in February 2023, and her decision to give full custody of her daughter Kaya to her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018.

She described herself as being in a “horrible cycle for years of battling depression and anxiety and alcoholism and substance abuse” while “just trying to find my way back, my way out of the darkness”.

RIP Hayden Panettiere 1989 - 2026