Hayden Panettiere death: Coroner reveals autopsy findings after 911 cardiac arrest call
An autopsy on Hayden Panettiere has ruled out physical trauma as a factor in her death, though officials say the exact cause remains under investigation. The Nashville and Heroes star was found unresponsive on Sunday at an Airbnb in South Carolina, where she had been staying temporarily. Her father, Alan Lee "Skip" Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement to Page Six, calling it a "tragic…
On August 16, 2026, at around 1:51 PM, a 911 call was made reporting a patient experiencing cardiac arrest. Emergency responders and medical personnel arrived at the scene, found the female unresponsive, and began advanced life support measures. Despite these efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.
Hayden Lesley Panettiere, 36, was identified as the victim. She had been found unresponsive inside an Airbnb in South Carolina, where she had been staying temporarily. The cause of death was ruled out as physical trauma, but additional testing is being conducted and the investigation remains open.
Panettiere's family has been deeply impacted by recent losses. Her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, passed away in February 2023 at age 28 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Her daughter, Kaya, who is 11 years old, is currently mourning the loss of her mother. Former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she had an 11-year-old daughter, has returned to Ukraine with their daughter.
Tributes to Panettiere have been pouring in from colleagues and friends in the industry. Viola Davis, with whom Panettiere co-starred in the 2016 film Custody, praised her immense talent and giftedness. Bethany Joy-Lenz, a longtime friend since childhood, expressed her deep sorrow and admiration for Panettiere's intelligence and charisma. Selma Blair, an actress known for Cruel Intentions, expressed her love and concern for Panettiere, urging her to not be gone.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Hayden Panettiere found in cardiac arrest before death, coroner says thenationalnews.com
