What happened to Hayden Panettiere? Police reveal what they found after 36 year old star was pronounced dead

Police say an acquaintance made the emergency call as investigators continue examining the circumstances of her death

Hayden Panettiere, the actor known for Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died at the age of 36, with police now confirming that their preliminary investigation has found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina said officers and emergency medical personnel responded at approximately 1:51pm on August 16 after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman. The person was later identified as Panettiere, who was pronounced dead at the scene after medical assistance was administered.

According to Variety, police said an acquaintance of Panettiere placed the 911 call. The case remains under investigation by the Greenville Police Department alongside the Greenville County Coroner's Office. Authorities have not announced an official cause of death.

Reports about the emergency call have circulated following Panettiere's death, including claims that dispatchers referred to cardiac arrest and a possible overdose. Those details have not been confirmed as the official cause of death, and the circumstances surrounding her passing should therefore be treated cautiously until the coroner releases further findings.

Panettiere built a career in Hollywood from childhood, appearing in television projects before establishing herself as a recognisable young star. Her early film work included A Bug's Life, in which she provided the voice of Dot, and Remember the Titans, where she appeared alongside Denzel Washington.

Her major breakthrough came with NBC's Heroes, which premiered in 2006. Panettiere played Claire Bennet, a teenager with regenerative abilities whose story became one of the central elements of the science fiction drama. The role made her internationally recognisable and established her as one of television's prominent young stars of the late 2000s.

She later took on another defining television role as Juliette Barnes in ABC's Nashville. The country music drama allowed Panettiere to combine acting and singing, with her character becoming one of the show's major figures. Her performance earned her Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film.

Her film career also included Bring It On: All or Nothing, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Scream 4 and Scream VI. Her return as Kirby Reed in Scream VI in 2023 marked her return to the franchise after more than a decade.

Panettiere had also spoken publicly about difficult periods in her personal life, including struggles with alcohol and addiction. In 2026, she released her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she addressed her experiences in Hollywood, motherhood, addiction and the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere.

Her daughter, Kaya, was born in 2014 to Panettiere and former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere previously discussed the difficult decision to give Klitschko primary custody while she sought treatment and worked to address her health and addiction struggles.

The actor's family confirmed her death and remembered her as an "incredible light" who brought "immeasurable love and joy" to those around her and to the millions who watched her work. Her father, Skip Panettiere, also asked for privacy as the family processes the loss.

Tributes have since emerged from Panettiere's former co stars and friends. Viola Davis, who worked with her on Custody, remembered the actor warmly, while Melissa Barrera, Selma Blair, JoJo and Rosie O'Donnell were among those who publicly expressed their grief.

Panettiere's death comes after a career that began when she was an infant and continued across television, film and music. While her roles in Heroes and Nashville remain central to her legacy, her return as Kirby in Scream VI introduced her to a new generation of viewers.

For now, authorities have stressed that there are no preliminary indications of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The official cause and manner of death remain pending as the investigation by Greenville police and the county coroner continues.