Hayden Panettiere, Heroes and Until Dawn Star, Has Passed Away at 36

A cause of death was not disclosed

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By Henry MedranoEsports Editor

  • Primary Subject: Hayden Panettiere's passing
  • Key Update: Hayden Panettiere has sadly passed away at age 36.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: August 17, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Hayden Panettiere has died at 36. Her representative confirmed the news.

Both Hollywood and the video game industry are mourning the passing of actress Hayden Panettiere.

ABC News broke the news after getting confirmation from the actress's representative on Monday morning. The actress was only 36 at the time, and a cause of death hasn't been disclosed at the time of writing.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed. "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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Credit: NBC

Panettiere was a child star, appearing in soap operas since the age of 5. Her television resume includes the role of Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville. On the big screen, she played Kirby Reed in 2011's Scream 4 and later reprised her role in 2023's Scream VI.

Her credits don't stop at film and television, as the actress was also known for voicing Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts franchise and for playing Samantha "Sam" Giddings in the interactive drama and horror survival game, Until Dawn.

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Credit: Supermassive Games

Panettiere was very open about her struggles with alcohol and drugs throughout the years, having spent time at a rehab facility in 2020 to get sober. In May of this year, she published her first book, titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” where she tells stories about her relationship with her mom and the abuse she had gone through while being in the spotlight.

The psychological thriller film Sleepwalker, released in January 2026, serves as Panettiere's final performance on the big screen. On the other hand, Kairi is expected to appear in Kingdom Hearts 4, and whether the actress finished recording the character's voice lines remains unknown. The game is currently scheduled to release in 2027.

Rest in peace, Hayden Panettiere.

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