NEW YORK — Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at 36, her representative confirmed to ABC News, with authorities investigating her death and no cause or manner of death disclosed.
Panettiere’s publicist, Kasey Kitchen, said an investigation was underway and that more information could be available the following day.
“There’s an investigation ongoing,” Kitchen said in a statement. “We should know more tomorrow.”
Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement and asked the public to give the family privacy as they deal with the loss.
“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,” he said.
Her father asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Further details about her death were not immediately available.
Panettiere was born and raised in Palisades, New York, about 40 miles north of New York City, according to her Television Academy biography.
Her acting career began when she was just 11 months old, when she appeared in television commercials. By age 4, she had taken roles on soap operas including “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light.”
She later lent her voice to the animated film “A Bug’s Life” before appearing in movies such as “Remember the Titans” and “Bring It On: All or Nothing.”
Her best-known television roles included Claire Bennet on “Heroes” and Juliette Barnes on “Nashville,” the latter becoming one of the most impactful roles of her career.
In a 2022 interview with “Good Morning America,” Panettiere discussed her struggles with alcoholism and postpartum depression.
“I didn’t know where the alcoholism was ending and the postpartum was beginning,” Panetierre said. “And I ran myself pretty ragged.”
She also described the years following her time on “Nashville” as difficult.
She said the years that followed her role on “Nashville” had “been difficult.” She said, “The years before were very difficult for me, too. And I just needed a break.”
Earlier this year, Panettiere revealed that her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction contributed to her decision to give up custody of her only child, daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in 2018.
Panettiere had Kaya in 2014 with her former partner, Ukrainian professional boxer and former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Panettiere recently released a memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which drew attention for its revelations about her life and past relationships.
She was the mother of one child, Kaya Klitschko.
Panettiere’s death came less than a week before her 37th birthday, which would have been Friday.
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