Hayden Panettiere has died at age 36. The actor, best known for her television work on the series Heroes and Nashville, was found unresponsive at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon. Her father, Skip, confirmed the news in a statement, describing her as an incredible light who brought joy to those around her.
Emergency responders performed life-saving measures at the scene, but she was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m. Local police stated there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office plans to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Panettiere maintained a long career in entertainment that began in 1996. She gained widespread recognition in 2006 for her role as a cheerleader with superpowers in Heroes, a series famous for the line, Save the cheerleader, save the world. Later, she starred as an up-and-coming country singer in the drama Nashville, where she performed her own music and earned two Golden Globe nominations for supporting actress. Her other film credits include Remember the Titans and Scream VI.
Beyond her acting, Panettiere spoke openly about her experiences with depression and alcohol addiction throughout her life. In recent years, she worked to correct public misconceptions regarding her personal life and custody arrangements for her daughter. She leaves behind a career defined by her diverse roles in both television and film.