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Hayden Panettiere dead: Hollywood actress in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' dies age 36

Star of 'Heroes' and 'Nashville, Hayden Panettiere, has died at age 36, her agent has confirmed, with her family issuing a statement to ask for privacy after they navigate their shock loss

Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere has died, her representative confirmed. She was 36 years old. Panettiere is best known for her roles in hit series Heroes, where she played cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes, and as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville.

A devastating statement from Panettiere's father was shared with American news network ABC. It read: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.

[Hayden talked about her brother's death]

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Hayden has died aged 36(Image: FilmMagic)

"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, her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement.

The details around her death are unknown.

On social media, Panettiere's last-ever social media post - a photograph of herself with director and podcaster Randall Slavin, shared online in July - has become a makeshift digital memorial. She captioned the black-and-white image: "Good times and good friends."

Fellow American actress Selma Blair wrote: "I love you. Dont be gone. Dont be gone . Please. Please."

[Hayden Panettiere's last Instagram photo]

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Hayden Panettiere's last Instagram photo(Image: Instagram)

A fans also wrote: "This is the most shocking news. I remember seeing one of your first roles in Remember the Titans. Loved your work in Heroes as well. Rest easy and may god be with you, Hayden."

SAG-AFTRA also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: "We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere, the union said in a statement. A child actor, Hayden's long career in TV & film included memorable roles in Heroes, Nashville and more. Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans. May she #RIP. #SagAftraMember since 1994."

[Panettiere in Nashville]

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Panettiere in hit series Nashville(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

And Scream VI star Melissa Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter in the production alongside Panettiere, in Scream VI, shared a tribute on her Instagram Stories. She wrote: Rest in peace sweet Hayden.

Panettiere had been dating on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson prior to her death. The pair started dating in 2018. In 2020, Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence following a reported physical altercation with the actress. They reconnected in 2021 after his release from prison after a month of a 45-day sentence.

At the time, Hickerson said: "We have a long history together, and the first step in my recovery as an abuser is making amends. Thats exactly what Hayden has been gracious enough to allow me to do."

According to TMZ, the pair had caught a flight from Los Angeles to the south the day before Panettiere's death. The publication says Hickerson and his family are aware of her death.

Her death comes mere months after memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, hit bookstores on May 19. In her book, the mum-of-one sheds light on some of her experiences navigating Hollywood as a teenage star.

The Scream actress recounts an incident in which an Oscar-winning actor allegedly exposed himself to her at a party, as well as a disturbing episode aboard a yacht where a trusted, unnamed friend placed her in bed next to a 'very famous' naked man.

Panettiere also opened up about her struggles with mental health, the loss of her younger brother, Jansen, and her decision to give full custody of her daughter Kaya to her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Speaking on Red Table Talk in 2022, she said: I mean, it was the worst signing those papers and like the most heartbreaking thing Ive ever, ever had to do in my life.

[Wladimir Klitschko and Hayden Panettiere]

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Wladimir Klitschko and Hayden Panettiere(Image: Lev Radin/Shutterstock)

[Brian Hickerson and Hayden Panettiere]

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Brian Hickerson and Hayden Panettiere(Image: Eric Charbonneau/REX/Shutterstock)

The papers were to give him full custody and I was gonna go work on myself and I was gonna get better.

And when I got better, then things could change and she could come to me and I could have my time with her. But that didnt happen.

She told told podcaster Jay Shetty after the release of her memoir in May: "The idea that anyone would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking and couldnt be further from the truth."

Panettiere said her daughter had lived with her father full-time from a young age amid the actresses struggles with addiction and mental health. She said: I was struggling with mental health and anxiety and the postpartum and having to act my way through it and just feeling like I completely lost myself.

In addition to Heroes and Nashville, Panettieres acting credits include the films I Love You, Beth Cooper, Scream 4 and Scream VI, and the TV movie Amanda Knox. Her final movie, Sleepwalker, was released in January this year.

The Mirror has approached Panettiere's publicist for further comment.

Whatever you're going through, you can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email **jo@samaritans.org

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