Hayden Panettiere Was Celebrating “Good Times” In Her Final Post Before Her Death
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Actress and singer Hayden Panettiere died on August 16, 2026, at the age of 36. Her father, Skip, shared the heartbreaking news in a statement to ABC News:
“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.”
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Panettiere started acting at a young age and was known for roles in projects such as Guiding Light, Remember the Titans, and Tiger Cruise. She later had memorable roles in Heroes, the Scream movie series, and the country music-themed TV show, Nashville.
Panettiere had been open about her battles with postpartum depression and addiction. She shared more about her struggles in her new memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which was released on May 19.
Some of her final posts on social media were centered on her book and accompanying media tour. But her last-ever post was simply celebrating a happy moment in her life.
On July 27, three weeks before her death, Panettiere posted a photo with her friend
Randall Slavin, who is a director, podcaster, and producer.
The picture shows Slavin with his arm around Panettiere, who winked at the camera. Her caption read, “Good times and good friends @randallslavin ✨“
After news of Panettiere’s death broke, people returned to her final post to express their shock and grief in the comments. You can see the post below.
What We Know About The Circumstances Surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s Death
Hayden Panettiere’s cause and manner of death have not been released as of press time. However, authorities have shared some information about the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, issued a news release on Monday (August 17). The news release states that the actress died in the city.
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, who has since been identified as Panettiere, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances have been uncovered following a preliminary investigation into Panettiere’s death. Her case remains under investigation by the police and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. We will share more information as it becomes available.
Our prayers go out to all who knew and loved Hayden Panettiere…
