Emotional Farewell: Celebrities Honor Hayden Panettiere After Her Passing
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Celebrities from all walks of entertainment are mourning alongside the rest of us when we heard the news of Hayden Panettiere’s passing.
Hayden Panettiere Passed Away On Sunday, August 16
Actress and singer Hayden Panettiere’s father, Skip, shared a heartbreaking statement Sunday evening (August 16), announcing the devastating news of her passing.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement read. “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,” his statement to ABC News read.
While at first, no cause of death was revealed, as time passes, more information is coming to light.
RELATED: HAYDEN PANETTIERE WAS CELEBRATING “GOOD TIMES” IN HER FINAL POST BEFORE HER DEATH
Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, issued a news release on Monday (August 17) stating that the actress died after police and EMS responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at the Judson Mill Lofts at 1:51 PM on Sunday (August 16).
The woman has since been identified as Panettiere.
According to TMZ, first responders administered “advanced cardiac life support” in an attempt to resuscitate the actress, but they were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
Broadcastify dispatch audio obtained by Country Rebel reportedly indicates that Hayden’s death may have been the result of cardiac arrest following an overdose.
The dispatcher is heard sharing the location of the incident and telling responding authorities that the call was for cardiac arrest. The audio shows an officer saying, “Overdose. CPR is in progress.”
An investigation into her death is being led by the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Hayden Panettiere Was One Of The Stars Of The Hit Show Nashville – See How The Cast Remembered Her
Panettiere’s resume was long, having been in the industry since before she turned one, with credits in commercials, television (Heroes, Nashville), movies (Remember The Titans, Ice Princess, Custody, the Scream franchise, and more). She even did voice acting in video games (Kingdom Heart).
After the news of her death was made public, tributes began pouring in from fans, friends, her Nashville cast, and many celebrities she has worked with or been interviewed by.
Connie Britton was the other star of Nashville, playing veteran country singer Rayna James. She broke her silence after hearing the news about Hayden’s death.
“This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” she wrote. “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”
She also shared a video of Hayden singing “Celebrate” with the African Children’s Choir, writing, “This angel!”
Charles Esten played Deacon Claybourne in the series and shared many vulnerable scenes with Hayden. He took to Instagram to remember his co-star and friend alongside a series of photos of them.
Make sure to read his entire caption. In the comments section, he revealed that he was eerily in the same city, and performed just steps away from the apartment complex where she passed away. He wrote:
“A LAST NOTE: Patty and I were not only in Greenville, SC this past Friday night for one of my shows, we were actually in Judson Mills, itself (where the venue is located.)
Alongside the horrific news of her passing, we have both been stunned to hear in news reports that Hayden had apparently arrived there at the same Judson Mills (the loft apartments, not the venue) the very next day.
By then, (Saturday) our tour bus had taken us through the night to Wilmington, where we were setting up for my next show, oblivious to all that was to come.
Such a strange coincidence. I just wish that it had actually put us there together at the same time. And that we somehow could have bumped into her. And got to hug her, and laugh in amazement with her.
And tell her how much we love her again.”
Hayden’s character, Juliette, had a few romantic partners throughout her time on the show, but there was one character she spent the most time with, and married, Johnathan Jackson’s Avery Barkley.
It took him a couple days to formulate his words following Hayden’s passing, seeing as they were so close while filming.
“I have no words to express the loss of our beloved Hayden. She had such a bright light within her. She was a sensitive soul. Incredibly funny and witty. Amazingly gifted, with a great sense of empathy and compassion,” he wrote alongside five photos of them during filming. “We both grew up in the industry, although she started even younger than me, but we shared that. A silent knowing of how intense the struggles can be. She was an absolute joy to work with. Focused, spontaneous and brilliant. The most important thing between friends and coworkers is trust, and we had this.”
He continued, “My prayer for her every day we worked together was that she would know how loved she is, and that she would find the peace that she was looking for. It’s not possible to express the shock and grief that so many of us feel right now. Our humble prayers are with her family. May God’s angels carry you to your place of rest and true peace. We love you Hayden. You will always be in our hearts. Always.”
Make sure to swipe through his post to see all the sweet photos of them together.
Brit Shaw, who played Olivia Wentworth in four episodes of Nashville, and had a romantic storyline with Hayden’s character Juliette Barnes, took to Instagram and posted several photos from their time together on set.
“This is a shock. Man, she was great,” she wrote. “She had this way of making you feel at home. From the moment I walked onto the Nashville set, she made me feel like I belonged. We had so many good times together, and I’ll always be grateful for them.”
Derek Hough, who acted alongside Hayden in Nashville, also paid tribute to his co-star. He played Noah West, who was an actor starring in the Patsy Cline biopic starring Hayden’s Juliette Barnes.
He wrote, “Heartbroken to hear about Hayden’s passing. The little time I got to spend with her, she was so sweet, so kind. I’ve always admired her work and the joy she brought people. She was actually pregnant when we filmed together. Looking at this photo now, having recently become a father myself, breaks my heart.”
CMT picked up the series after ABC cancelled it after four seasons. They released a statement on Monday (August 17).
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hayden Panettiere. A gifted actress and beloved member of the ‘Nashville’ family, Hayden brought extraordinary talent and spirit to everything she did,” they wrote. “Her portrayal of Juliette Barnes will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
See recurring star Chaley Rose’s tribute below.
Marylynne Stella, the mother of Maisy and Lennon Stella, the two child actors in the show, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Hayden, who her daughters looked up to so much.
“Lennon and Maisy were 8 and 12 when they walked into their first table read. Their nerves leaned heavily on the fact, that they were about to meet Hayden. The Ice Princess. From day 1… she was eager to be support to both of them, knowing the challenges of being young girls in the industry,” she wrote. “Putting it together, that she would’ve been the same age as maisy now, really hit hard. Unbelievably heartbreaking news. Seeing someone so strong, and so insanely talented, work so hard to get better… succumb, is devastating but I’m imagining her finally at peace. All the love to Hayden’s daughter, family and friends.”
Maisy simply shared a black and white photo of her, Hayden, and Lennon on her Instagram Stories.
Burgess Jenkins had the unique experience of working with Hayden as a child on Remember The Titans, as well as an adult on Nashville. They remained close after all those years. See his tribute below.
Ed Amatrudo, who played Juliette’s longitme manager Glenn Goodman, took to Instagram and shared a photo of him sitting next to Hayden’s chair on the set of Nashville alongside, “No words…”
Aubrey Peeples starred as Layla Grant from 2013-2016 and called Hayden “effervescent, kind, incredibly talented, funny fiercely talented, sweet soul.”
See her tribute below.
Clare Bowen, who starred in the show alongside Hayden for the entirety of the series, wrote an emotional poem and shared some photos of them throughout the years on her Instagram page. See it below.
Hayden’s Other Co-Stars And Colleagues Paid Tribute As Well
Alyson Stoner, who took over voicing the role of Kairi from Hayden in the video game Kingdom Hearts, and also worked with Hayden’s late brother Jansen, posted a tearful tribute to the actress, sending condolences to Hayden and Jansen’s parents, who have lost both their children in the span of three years.
Some of her Scream co-stars also took to social media to mourn.
David Arquette wrote, “Sending my love to Hayden and her family. She was a brave and brilliant soul.”
Additionally, Arquette wrote in a comment on Variety‘s reporting of the actress’ death, “I love you Hayden.”
Another Scream co-star, Melissa Barrera, took to her Instagram Stories as well and said, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.“
Podcaster Jay Shetty commented, “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.”
Bethany Joy Lenz shared an emotional tribute to Hayden on Instagram. See her full post below.
Actor Peter Facinelli wrote, “Good times and good friends indeed. @haydenpanetierre thanks for all the smiles.”
Lucy Hale wrote, “This one really hurts. May your soul be at rest Hayden,” on her Instagram Stories.
Her dear friend Emma Roberts shared an older photo of the two of them and a more recent photo and wrote, “rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
Matt Lanter, who worked with her on two projects, also paid tribute.
See more tributes below.
