Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36

UPDATE as of 7:42 am 8/17:

Hayden Panettiere is found dead by a friend inside a South Carolina home, according to TMZ.

Emergency Medical Services respond to a call reporting someone in “cardiac arrest” and an “unresponsive female.” Law enforcement sources say Panettiere’s friend calls 911 at 1:51 p.m. Sunday from an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina.

It remains unclear whether Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, places the call.

Greenville police officers and EMS workers respond to the home. Paramedics attempt to resuscitate Panettiere using advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions. She is pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m., according to sources.

Police report no initial signs of foul play. The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death do not appear suspicious.

The Greenville County coroner plans to perform an autopsy Monday. The examination is expected to help determine the cause and manner of death.

Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.

Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death in a statement provided to ABC News. The representative described Panettiere as “an incredible light” who brought love and joy to those who knew her and to the millions of people who watched her work.

"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," said her rep in a statement to ABC News.

According to TMZ, Panettiere died early Sunday, August 16. No cause of death or additional details about the circumstances surrounding her passing have been released.

Panettiere began working as a child and became widely recognized for her role as Claire Bennet on NBC’s Heroes. She later starred as country music performer Juliette Barnes on Nashville, a role that brought her multiple award nominations.

Her other credits included appearances in the Scream film franchise (Scream 4 and Scream VI) and in the Bring It On franchise (Bring It On: All or Nothing).

In recent years, Panettiere spoke publicly about her personal struggles and recovery. She also addressed the death of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at the age of 28. Panettiere was the mother of a daughter, Kaya.

Panettiere’s death comes just days before what would have been her 37th birthday on August 21. Further information about her cause of death had not been released as of Sunday night.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.