Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36: ‘She was an incredible light and a force of nature’

New details have emerged about the moments leading up to the death of actress Hayden Panettiere.

The 36-year-old star of hit TV series Heroes and Nashville was found unresponsive inside a South Carolina home on Sunday night (Monday AEST).

TMZ reports that Narcan, a nasal spray which is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was found in the apartment where she died.

It is unclear if the Narcan was used to try and revive Panettiere.

Audio of the 911 emergency call, published by multiple US outlets including TMZ, have revealed paramedics were called to the property over reports of an “overdose”.

A dispatcher in the audio can be heard referring to an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest” and within minutes “CPR [was] in progress”.

It is understood it was a friend who discovered Panettiere at the property, and she was the person who called 911. Paramedics tried to revive Panettiere, but she was pronounced dead at 2.32pm. 

Police said there were no signs of foul play and the circumstances surrounding her death did not appear suspicious. 

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An autopsy on Panettiere’s body has been completed, however an official cause of death has not been released. 

In a statement, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed the death as “Hayden [Lesley] Panettiere, 36, of California” and she was “found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying”.

“An autopsy was completed today. At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the statement continued. 

The cause and the manner of her death are pending further investigation. The investigation is active and remains ongoing.

A neighbour described the confronting scene when emergency responders arrived to the complex on Sunday.

Micah Lee, who lives in the Judson Mill Lofts complex where the actress died, claimed there was a “bunch of commotion in the hallway”.

“’The halls are pretty hollow, so noise echoes throughout. And I had just heard about someone collapsing,” Lee told WYFF. 

“And then afterwards there was talk about cardiac arrest. I can’t confirm any of that. That’s just what I’ve heard.”

Panettiere’s father shared a statement announcing her death.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Alan ‘Skip’ Panettiere said.

“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.”

He asked for privacy as the family “takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Panettiere’s sudden death comes days before her 37th birthday, which would have been Friday.

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Panettiere had largely retreated from the public eye in recent years, but resurfaced in May with the release of her autobiography This is Me: A Reckoning.

In the book, the star detailed the highs and lows of fame, her past relationships and her struggles with severe postpartum depression and addiction.

Fans have shared tributes to the actress on social media, remembering her most iconic roles and commending her bravery for speaking out about her struggles.

“Hayden has not only been in so much media I grew up with and adored, but she’s been so vocal about postpartum depression; I felt really comforted by her honesty and vulnerability of speaking about it,” one fan wrote.

“RIP Hayden Panettiere. My heart sank when I saw the news,” another said.

Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, aged 11.

The Ice Princess star had recently opened about her relationship with her daughter, revealing she signed over full custody to her ex, a former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018, and frequently visits Kaya in Ukraine.

“The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be OK with it is heartbreaking,” she explained in an episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty in May.

“It couldn’t be further from the truth. It became this horrible cycle for years of battling depression and anxiety and alcoholism and substance abuse and just me trying to find my way back.”

She also said she felt “guilt-ridden” about being “completely incapable” of caring for her daughter amid her struggles with mental health and addiction.

Just months before her death, Panettiere revealed she now had a good relationship with her child.

“I don’t want her ever to read it and think any of it was her fault,” she said of what she hoped her daughter would come to understand about her book, People reported.

“I love her so dearly. [It’s a lot for an] 11-year-old to process that. I’ll continue protecting her, especially while she’s young.”

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Panettiere started her Hollywood career as a child star at the age of four, starring in the soap opera One Life to Live as Sarah Roberts.

Her career spanned working in both TV and film. She is best remembered for her role as Claire Bennet on the series Heroes and as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama Nashville.

She also starred in Bring it On, Remember the Titans, Ice Princess, Scream 4 and Raising Helen.

In 2023, Panettiere’s brother Jansen died at age 28 due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

His death had a serious impact on the star, who developed a severe anxiety disorder called agoraphobia, where a person is afraid to leave a safe environment – typically their home.

“I didn’t recognise myself. My agoraphobia came out, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past,” she told the outlet.

In September, Panettiere shared an Instagram post marking what would have been Jansen’s 31st birthday, saying she missed him “every single day”.

“He was a remarkable human being. He was wise beyond his years and operated at a higher spiritual level than anyone I’ve ever met,” she wrote.

“He was everything that is good and pure in this world ... I know his spirit is always near, watching over and protecting me and my family.

“I love you to infinity and beyond J and we will be together again one day.”

The National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline (1800 250 015) provides free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, including available treatment options, and automatically directs the caller to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in their state/territory.