Hayden Panettiere’s death had ‘no signs of foul play’ after ‘acquaintance’ found tragic star unresponsive, police say

HAYDEN Panettiere’s tragic death had “no signs of foul play” with an “acquaintance” finding the actress unresponsive, police have confirmed. The beloved US actress, who was nominated for two Golden Globes, died on Sunday at the age of 36. Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday, her heartbroken dad confirmed. Credit: Splash The mum-of-one walking the red carpet in 2014 while pregnant Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Heroes and Nashville star was found inside an apartment block in Greenville, South Carolina where she was pronounced dead. Police and the local coroner’s office are now probing her passing with no cause of death being released yet. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Detectives have said a preliminary investigation “has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances”. Police responded on Sunday afternoon to a 911 call describing Hayden as “unresponsive” on the ground, according to the Daily Mail. Read more in Hayden Panettiere It comes as… Hayden Panettiere has died aged 36, her father announced Tributes have been paid by Hollywood celebrities including Cruel Intentions actress Selma Blair and Sister Sister star Tia Mowry In a heartbreaking final interview Hayden opened up about her struggles but declared: ‘I have a lot more life left to live’ Hayden’s tragic final post shows the actress smiling with close pal as she hailed ‘good times and good friends’ The star told fans to ‘be brave’ in her last public appearance while promoting her new memoir The person who made the call has been described as an acquaintance by cops. Hayden was travelling with on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson over the weekend, US media has been reporting. Most read in Showbiz The pair had been spotted flying out of Los Angeles on Saturday. Hayden and Brian Hickerson shared a similar tumultuous relationship with the pair being together from 2018 to 2020. Hayden starred as Claire Bennett in the acclaimed series Heroes Credit: Universal Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Recent boyfriend Brian Hickerson was arrested, convicted and jailed for domestic abuse against the actress in 2020 Credit: Splash Hickerson was then arrested, convicted and jailed for domestic abuse against the actress. He served only one day of a 45-day jail term and the couple reconnected in 2021 before reportedly getting into another physical spat at a bar in West Hollywood. Their relationship at the time of Hayden’s tragic death was unclear. Police initially said they found Hayden dead after responding to an “incident” involving the actress. Hayden’s heartbroken dad Skip Panettiere was the first to confirm the heartbreaking news. He said: “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.” The actress’s grieving dad also asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss”. The actress with her late brother Jansen who died in 2023 Credit: Getty Hayden with ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko and their daughter Kaya Credit: Twitter It means that Skip’s two children have both died within three years of each other after Hayden’s brother Jansen died at the age of 28 from “an enlarged heart” in 2023. Hayden had publicly spoken about her difficulties with mental health and addiction, but had been sober since spending weeks in rehab. A serious bout of postpartum depression led to her giving up custody of her daughter, Kaya, 11, in 2018. Hayden had a daughter with retired Ukrainian professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she had an on-and-off relationship between 2009 and 2018. The pair – who had a 14-year age gap – were engaged from 2013 but split up before tying the knot. The mother-of-one, who would have turned 37 on Friday, first hit the screens as an 11-month-old child when her mum took her to star in several TV commercials. She then landed her first acting gig when she was four-years-old on the American soap opera One Life to Live. The diminutive actress would stay in the TV and film industry for her entire life. Her Hollywood debut came at the age of nine, as the narrator and voice of Princess Dot in the 1998 animated Pixar flick A Bug’s Life. She was nominated for a Young Artist Award and a Grammy Award on the back of the film’s box office success, which made her the fifth-youngest Grammy nominee ever. Hayden walking the red carpet in May 2004 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Hayden spent almost her entire life in the TV and film industry Credit: Splash Hayden then featured in Remember the Titans alongside Denzel Washington in 2000. She worked on several other major films including Racing Stripes and Scream VI where she played Kirby Reed in the 2011 horror film. Away from Hollywood, Hayden is best known for her leading roles on TV. She starred in 73 episodes of Emmy-award winning Heroes between 2006 to 2010 as cheerleader Claire Bennet. Hayden later earned two Golden Globe nominations as Juliette Barnes on Nashville where she featured in 128 episodes from 2012 to 2018. Hayden also lent her voice to video games including hit series Until Dawn. A tragic final post on the star’s social media hailed “good times and good friends” just weeks before she died. Made on July 27, just 21 days ago, Hayden smiled alongside photographer pal Randall Slavin in a carefree and happy snap. Responding to his friend’s death, Slavin, 56, wrote this morning: “Peace be with you.” More tributes flooded in for the star, with fellow actress Selma Blair writing on Instagram: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please.” Scream co-star Melissa Barrera also said: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.” Comment now