Hayden Panettiere's death had 'no sign of foul play' after star's sudden passing aged 36
Hayden Panettiere's death had 'no sign of foul play,' police say.
Detectives reportedly confirmed to the Daily Mail that they responded to a 911 call from an 'acquaintance' of Panettiere, describing her as 'unresponsive'. The actor was pronounced dead at the scene.
"On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1.51pm, officers from the Greenville Police Department, accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Judson Mill Lofts, located at 701 Easley Bridge Road," a spokesperson for City of Greenville Police told the outlet.
"Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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"The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner's Office," the statement continued.
"The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call."
Police say there no further details are available for release at this time.
In a statement to ABC News on Sunday, August 16, Panettiere's father, Skip, said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.
“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.”
Panettiere’s father Skip asked for privacy as the ‘family takes time to process this unimaginable loss’.
Panettiere was in the limelight from just 11 months old, when she appeared in a toy commercial, paving the way for her to become a childhood star.
In 1994, she joined the ABC soap opera One Life to Live before moving to CBS’ Guiding Light a couple of years later.
At the age of nine, she made her feature film debut after landing the role of narrator and Princess Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.
It was in 2006 when she gained mainstream fame, playing the role of Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader, in the NBC series, Heroes.
She starred in Scream 4 Kirby Reed in 2011, reprising her role for Scream 6 in 2023, after a four-year acting break.
Tributes have been pouring in for the star since news of her death was announced with podcast host Jay Shetty, who conduced one of the star's final interviews just months before her death, writing: “I can’t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans."
Panettiere’s Scream 6 co-star, Melissa Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter in the film was one of the first to pay tribute, simply writing on her Instagram story: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
Oscar winner Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in The Architect in 2006 and Custody from 2016, also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: "What an amazing talent you were... so gifted.
"I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes.
"Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden."
Kiesha Dosanjh