RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Forbes — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 25 sources
Hollywood & Entertainment ‘Nashville’ And ‘Scream’ Co-Stars Pay Tribute To Hayden Panettiere By Tim Lammers ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment. Follow Author Aug 17, 2026, 05:33pm EDT Aug 17, 2026, 05:39pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Actress Hayden Panettiere, celebrated for her roles in "Nashville," "Scream," and "Heroes," passed away Sunday at 36 in Greenville, S.C. Authorities responded to a call regarding an unresponsive female, and despite medical intervention, she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed she was in cardiac arrest. While an autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, the official cause and manner of death remain under active investigation. The sudden loss prompted an outpouring of tributes from her showbiz friends and colleagues, including Connie Britton, Emma Roberts, Lindsay Lohan, Viola Davis and Alyson Stoner, who all shared their grief and memories of the talented actress.
Tributes are coming in from showbiz friends and colleagues of Hayden Panettiere, the Nashville , Scream and Heroes actress who died on Sunday at 36.
A representative for Panettiere issued a statement on behalf of the actress’ father, Skip, to ABC 7 News in Los Angeles on Sunday, about his daughter’s death. Panettiere was in Greenville, S.C., when the city’s police department and EMTs responded to a call at 1:51 about “an unresponsive female.”
‘Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office," a statement from Greenville police reads.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office also released a statement on Monday that said, “First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
The statement, which was from coroner Mike Ellis, noted that an autopsy was completed on Monday.
“At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” Ellis said in the statement. “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”
While the investigation into Panettiere’s death continues, Panettiere’s showbiz colleagues are still trying to process the sudden and shocking loss of the actress, whose career began at age 5 in the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live .
Panettiere appeared in more than 70 screen roles throughout her three decades in the entertainment business. Among the actress’ most high-profile roles was the ABC/CMT country music drama Nashville , where she played singer Juliette Barnes opposite Connie Britton’s Rayna James for six seasons from 2012 to 2018.
Britton paid tribute to Panettiere in an Instagram post on Monday, accompanied by a photo of the actresses holding up their hands in triumph in a scene from the series.
“This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” Britton wrote in the post. “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”
Also on Instagram, Emma Roberts, David Arquette and Melissa Barrera were among the stars from the Scream franchise paying tribute to Panettiere, who played Kirby Reed in 2011’s Scream 4 and 2023’s Scream VI .
Roberts’ Instagram post included the photo above, accompanied by Roberts’ tribute, which reads, “Rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
Meanwhile, Panettiere’s Scream VI co-star Melissa Barrera’s wrote in an Instagram story (via Deadline ), "Rest in peace sweet Hayden," while franchise star David Arquette noted in a different post, “I love you, Hayden.”
Hayden Panettiere’s fellow child star and friend, Lindsay Lohan, posted a pair of photos of her and the film and television star on Instagram , writing, “Rest in peace, Hayden Panettiere. Sending so much love and light to her family, friends, and everyone who adored her. She and Lindsay shared such sweet, unforgettable moments together over the years—here’s to remembering her beautiful spirit, bright smile, and incredible talent. You will be deeply missed, angel.”
In another post , Lohan cited a section from Panettiere’s memoir, This is Me: A Reckoning , about her personal and professional struggles, which was released in May.
“’I was around 13 when I first met Lindsay Lohan and she’d always been warm and friendly with me. She always seemed completely in her element, talking to anyone and everyone.’ — Hayden Panettiere.’ Rest in peace, Hayden.”
Viola Davis, who, along with her husband, Julius Tennon, co-starred with Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama Custody , wrote an emotional tribute to the actress on Instagram , which reads, “What an amazing talent you were....so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you....an old, wise soul with such a deep heart.
“I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming,” Davis’ post continues. "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. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name....”
Fellow former child actress and Panettiere’s Kingdom Hearts co-star Alyson Stoner also paid tribute to the actress on Instagram with a tearful video.
“From one Kairi to another … One ...
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.