Hayden Panettiere found in cardiac arrest before death, coroner says

Greenville County Coroner's Office announced on Monday that actress Hayden Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest just before her death. The 36-year-old, famous for her roles in TV shows Heroes and Nashville, passed away on Sunday. A 911 call was made on August 16, 2026, at around 1:51pm regarding a cardiac arrest at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville, South Carolina.

First responders and EMS quickly arrived on the scene, finding Panettiere in cardiac arrest. Despite advanced life-support measures, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at 2:32pm. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma that could have contributed to her death. Her official cause and manner of death are pending further investigation and additional studies, including a toxicology report.

Panettiere's father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death to ABC News, sharing that she was an "incredible light" who brought "immeasurable love and joy" to those who knew her. He requested privacy as his family processed this "unimaginable loss." Born in New York in 1989, Panettiere began her career in commercials at 11 months old and made her first acting appearance at six years old in the soap opera One Life to Live.

She gained widespread recognition for her role as Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes (2006-2010), where her catchphrase "Save the cheerleader, save the world" became iconic. Panettiere also starred in Nashville, films such as Remember the Titans and Ice Princess, and returned to the Scream franchise in Scream VI in 2023.

She released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in May, reflecting on her experiences in the entertainment industry and personal challenges. Panettiere's younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in 2023 at 28 years old, due to cardiomegaly and complications with the aortic valve.