Entertainment News3 min(s) read
Published 12:08 17 Aug 2026 GMT
911 call audio after Hayden Panettiere was found dead at 36 appears to reveal cause of death
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911 dispatch audio following the death of Hayden Panettiere has apparently revealed the cause of her sudden passing.
Panettiere was found unresponsive at a South Carolina residence before her death at age 36, with emergency dispatch audio reportedly referring to an apparent “overdose.”
Emergency personnel were called to a residence in Greenville on Sunday afternoon following reports of an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest.”
Dispatch audio obtained by Page Six indicated that “CPR [was] in progress” within minutes of the call. Panettiere was pronounced dead after responders attempted advanced life support. Her official cause of death has not yet been released.
Police have said the preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the actress' death.
Emergency services called to Greenville residence
A friend reportedly discovered Panettiere unresponsive and called emergency services at around 1:50PM local time. Responders attempted to resuscitate the actress using advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions.
While the dispatch information has prompted reports of a suspected overdose, officials have not confirmed that as Panettiere's cause of death.
Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her experiences with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression. Earlier in 2026, she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she discussed parts of her personal life and recovery.
Family confirms Panettiere's death
Panettiere's father confirmed her death in a family statement shared through her representative, describing the news as a “tragic passing” announced “with profound sadness.”
Skip Panettiere added, “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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Tributes have since been shared by friends, fans and fellow actors, including former co-stars and other figures from Hollywood. Viola Davis, Selma Blair, Melissa Barrera, Bethany Joy Lenz and others were among those who publicly responded to the news.
From child actor to Heroes and Nashville star
Panettiere began acting as a child, appearing in soap operas before taking roles in films including Remember the Titans and providing the voice of Dot in Pixar's A Bug's Life.
She became widely known for playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's Heroes, which premiered in 2006. She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations. Her film credits also included Scream 4 and Scream VI.
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she welcomed in 2014 with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, as well as her parents. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28.