Actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in ‘Heroes’ has sadly passed away. She was 36.
Hayden Panettiere passes away
The actress’ representative confirmed the shocking news of her demise in a statement to ABC News. “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,” read the statement.The circumstances surrounding her death have not been disclosed, and further details were not immediately available.
Police open investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s demise
According to TMZ, a source close to the actress said that she had recently been complaining about back pain in the past year. Law enforcement confirmed to the portal that police responded to an incident involving Hayden on Sunday, however, they did not comment as there is currently an ‘open investigation’.
Hayden Panettiere’s television career
Panettiere began her career as a child performer and went on to build an extensive career, across television and film. She rose to international prominence as Claire Bennet, the cheerleader with regenerative abilities, on the hit sci-fi series ‘Heroes’, which ran from 2006 to 2010. She later earned widespread recognition for her role as country singer Juliette Barnes on the musical drama ‘Nashville’.
Hayden Panettiere’s film career
Alongside her television work, Panettiere appeared in several major films, including ‘Remember the Titans’, ‘Raising Helen’, ‘Ice Princess’ and ‘Scream 4’. She also lent her voice to the video game character Kairi in the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ and Samantha Giddings in the horror video game ‘Until Dawn’.
Hayden Panettiere opens up about her life in memoir
Earlier this year, Panettiere released her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she reflected on growing up under the spotlight and the challenges she faced with addiction and postpartum depression.
Hayden Panettiere recalls sexual harassment by ‘well respected’ actor
In one chapter, Panettiere recounted a shocking incident with an Oscar-winning actor, who allegedly exposed himself to her while at an intimate gathering. Recalling the incident at a friend’s apartment in Los Angeles. She claimed that the gathering felt more like “a meeting” than a party. She wrote, “These men seemed to be a little too comfortable together, like they knew something I didn’t.”Panettiere went on to detail how the “well-respected, award-winning actor” exposed himself by unzipping his pant. She went on to state that although the man in question did not physically harm her, she immediately fled the apartment. “Up to that moment, men in Hollywood had always been kind and respectful around me,” she wrote and added, “There may have been a peck on the lips here and an inappropriate comment there, but nothing had crossed a line.“Panettiere’s death comes just days before what would have been her 37th birthday on August 21.
