“She was an incredible light”
Hayden Panettiere has sadly died at the age of 36, according to ABC News.
In a statement, Panettiere’s representative remembered her as a remarkable presence whose warmth, vitality and generosity touched both those closest to her and the millions of fans who watched her work.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement read.
“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.”
The circumstances surrounding her death have not been disclosed.
Panettiere appeared in a wide range of films and television shows, including Heroes, Nashville, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Bring It On: All or Nothing, Scream 4, Scream VI, Remember the Titans, A Bug’s Life and the television movie Amanda Knox.
She rose to prominence in 2006 as Claire Bennet, the indestructible cheerleader at the heart of NBC’s science-fiction drama Heroes. From 2012 to 2018, Panettiere starred as country singer Juliette Barnes on ABC’s Nashville, a role that earned her two nominations at the Golden Globe Awards. She later returned to the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed, reprising the role in Scream 4 in 2011 and Scream VI in 2023.
Alongside the demands of early fame, however, Panettiere was candid about the private struggles that accompanied her rise to prominence. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May 2026, she wrote about growing up in the spotlight, addiction, postpartum depression, motherhood and the devastating loss of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at the age of 28.
She also reflected on the ways her own experiences sometimes mirrored those of Juliette Barnes, whose Nashville storyline explored struggles with postpartum depression and alcoholism.
Panettiere was previously in an on-and-off relationship with Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. The pair welcomed their daughter, Kaya, in 2014, before ultimately ending their engagement in 2018.
The death of Jansen Panettiere in February 2023, from complications related to an enlarged heart and aortic valve issues, left a profound mark on his sister. In the years that followed, she spoke publicly about the loss and its enduring impact.
The outpouring of love and grief from fans has been immediate, with social media flooded with heartfelt messages for a star many grew up watching on their screens.
Writer Caitlin Napier Writer
Caitlin Napier is the Digital Content Producer at Marie Claire, with an academic background in Business and Creative Industries, majoring in Fashion Communication. Her work has appeared across Marie Claire, ELLE, Vogue and GQ, where she has honed a sharp eye for cultural trends and a deep commitment to considered, compelling storytelling.
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