American actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36.
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the family on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Panettiere appealed for privacy as the family mourns the loss.
Panettiere stated: “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 on screen.
“We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
The cause of her death was not revealed in the statement.
Hayden began her acting career as a child and went on to feature in several television and film productions.
Hayden gained widespread recognition for portraying ‘Claire Bennet’ in the hit television series, “Heroes”, and Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series, “Nashville”.
Her film credits include “Remember the Titans”, “Raising Helen”, “Ice Princess” and “Scream 4”.
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Hayden also reprised her role as Kirby Reed in the “Scream” franchise, appearing in the 2023 film.
Throughout her career, she spoke openly about personal challenges including postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, trauma, domestic abuse, and grief.
In May, she released her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning”, which she provided an account of her life away from the public spotlight.
In a 2022 interview with “Good Morning America”, Hayden discussed her struggles with alcoholism and postpartum depression, noting she found it difficult to distinguish between the two experiences.
She also spoke publicly about the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in February 2023 at the age of 28, saying it left her heartbroken.
Her career spanned television, film, and voice acting, establishing her as a prominent child star who successfully transitioned into adult roles.
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