Tributes flow online for incredible light Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere, renowned actress known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, has passed away at the age of 36, according to CBS News. An ongoing investigation is underway to determine the cause of her death. Tributes are flooding in from family, friends, co-stars, celebrities, and fans who were touched by her incredible light and force of nature.

In a statement to CBS News, her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed profound sadness over his daughter's tragic passing, describing her as an incredible light who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her. Panettiere had a lengthy career spanning decades, from her early roles in One Life to Live at age four to her celebrated performances as Claire on Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville.

She was also well-known for her role as Kirby Reed in Scream and for her voice acting in video games such as Until Dawn and Kingdom Hearts. Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, was released in May 2026. Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya. Her passing has left a void in the entertainment industry, with friends and colleagues mourning her loss.