Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36 in South Carolina

Kehinde Adeleye

American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36, just five days before her 37th birthday.

Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina, with her death confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, on behalf of the family.

In a statement, her father described the actress as a remarkable person whose life touched millions of people through her work on screen.

“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,” he said.

Police said officers and emergency medical personnel were called to a report of an unresponsive woman at about 1:50pm on Sunday.

The woman was later identified as Panettiere, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death were ongoing, although preliminary findings had not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Panettiere gained international recognition for portraying Claire Bennet in the hit television series Heroes, where she played a teenager with regenerative abilities.

She later starred as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series Nashville, a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

Her film credits also included Remember the Titans and appearances in the Scream franchise.

Panettiere’s death came shortly before her 37th birthday, which would have been celebrated on August 21.

Her death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues who remember her for her long career in film and television.