Hayden Panettiere’s neighbours recall harrowing moments after star found dead in luxury apartment before her ‘overdose’

HAYDEN Panettiere’s neighbours have revealed the harrowing and chaotic scenes that played out following the star’s tragic death. The beloved actress died on Sunday at the age of 36 after she was found “unresponsive” in a luxury apartment by a friend, cops have said. Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death remains a mystery Credit: AP Hayden was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina Credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / SplashNews.com Emergency crews responded to a call saying a female was in “cardiac arrest” at around 1.15pm, reports say. Paramedics arrived at the Judson Mill Lofts complex where Hayden was staying in Greenville, South Carolina. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Stunned neighbours said they were surprised to learn the star had been in their building – with one saying they had not seen Hayden before the tragic news broke. They told Page Six: “I was shocked, as I’m sure everyone in Greenville was, to find out she was here. She was found dead in a unit at the Judson Mill Lofts, in South Carolina Credit: Google Earth The star was found dead on Sunday, according to her heartbroken dadCredit: Refer to source “I don’t know that she was there long, and I’m not sure she even ever left the apartment. “I can only speak for myself, but you know, I never saw her [and] I haven’t spoken to anyone else that said they have.” Another local told outlet WYFF about the panicked moments which followed as emergency services arrived at the scene. They said: “It was… just a bunch of commotion in the hallway. Most read in Showbiz It comes as… Hayden Panettiere has died aged 36, her father announced New Hayden autopsy details released as coroner gives update on cause of death Brave Hayden battled decades of pain and turmoil from a custody battle and a family death to domestic abuse 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 halls are pretty hollow, so noise echoes throughout. And I had just heard about someone collapsing. “And then afterwards there was talk about cardiac arrest. I can’t confirm any of that. That’s just what I’ve heard.” Brian Hickerson and Hayden Panettiere had an on-and-off relationship until 2020 Credit: Rex Hayden starred as Claire Bennett in the acclaimed series Heroes Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The star’s cause of death is still unclear – though autopsy results revealed today that there were no signs of trauma. Her cause and manner of death remain unknown pending further testing. Property managers at Judson Mill Lofts have reportedly reached out to residents to keep them informed of the circumstances surrounding the actress’ death. The local added: “The apartment complex has sent out a couple messages saying it wasn’t anything criminal and that there’s no reason for anyone to be scared or anything like that. Hayden gave up custody of her only daughter Kaya when the girl was 11 years old after an on-again, off-again relationship with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko Credit: Twitter Tragedy hit in 2023 after the death of her younger brother Jansen who was aged just 28 Credit: Getty “It’s still kind of jarring to hear that someone of her stature was here and then that tragically happened to her.” The neighbour also said local cops were at the scene from around 12pm to 8pm on Sunday. They said: “The coroner vehicle showed up and of course, I knew then that there was a death. “Then woke up this morning to hear that it was Hayden, which is just still shocking.” The resident also saw “two men sitting outside the apartment with cops”. The pair looked like they were “in shock, not speaking, and had their heads down”. Hayden may have been staying in a flat that was an Airbnb rental, the local speculated – though this has not been confirmed. The star’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”. On Sunday, paramedics rushed to the apartment Hayden was at and tried to resuscitate her using “advanced cardiac life support”. After around an hour, the Heroes and Nashville star was tragically pronounced dead at 2.32pm. People reported that a friend alerted authorities after finding the actress unresponsive, while police said an acquaintance made the 911 call. Dispatch audio obtained by the outlet captured officials referring to an “overdose” as well as cardiac arrest during the emergency response. However, authorities have not determined that an overdose caused Panettiere’s death, and the coroner’s findings remain pending. Hayden was travelling with on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson over the weekend, US media has been reporting. The pair had been spotted flying out of Los Angeles on Saturday. Hayden’s devastating death means 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, then 11, in 2018. Kaya’s dad is retired Ukrainian professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko, with whom Hayden 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. A few short years after, Hayden started dating Brian Hickerson in a tumultuous relationship. The pair were together from 2018 to 2020 before Hickerson was 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. Mother-of-one Hayden, 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. Comment now