Hayden Panettiere, the actress who became a household name through roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI,” has died at 36.

Her family confirmed her death through her representative, who described Panettiere as an extraordinary presence whose life brought love and joy to her family, friends and millions of fans.

No cause of death has been publicly disclosed. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, and officials have not announced a definitive cause or manner of death.

A Career That Started in Childhood

Panettiere began working in entertainment as a child, appearing in commercials and television projects before establishing herself as a familiar face on American television.

She gained widespread recognition in 2006 when she was cast as Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes.” Her character was a high school cheerleader with the ability to heal from injuries, and the role quickly made Panettiere one of the show’s breakout stars.

Her work on “Heroes” earned her multiple Teen Choice Awards and helped establish her as one of the most recognizable young television stars of the era.

“Nashville” Became Another Defining Role

Panettiere later took on one of the most important roles of her career as Juliette Barnes on ABC’s country music drama “Nashville.”

The character allowed her to combine acting with singing as she portrayed a young country star navigating fame, relationships and the pressures of the music business.

Her performance earned two Golden Globe nominations, adding major recognition to a career that had already included television, film and voice work.

Fans Also Knew Her From the “Scream” Franchise

Horror fans knew Panettiere as Kirby Reed, a character she first played in “Scream 4.”

She later returned to the role in “Scream VI,” giving longtime franchise fans another opportunity to see the character more than a decade after her original appearance.

Her other film credits included “Remember the Titans,” “I Love You, Beth Cooper” and other projects spanning her career as both a child performer and adult actress.

Her Final Years Included New Work

Panettiere remained connected to the entertainment industry in the years before her death.

Her final reported screen role was in the 2026 psychological thriller “Sleepwalker.” Earlier in 2026, she also released her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she reflected on her career and difficult personal experiences.

The timing of her death has drawn additional attention because she had recently entered another phase of her career, with new work and a memoir bringing renewed attention to her life story.

Investigation Into Her Death Continues

Panettiere died in South Carolina, and emergency responders were called after she was found unresponsive, according to reports.

Authorities have said the investigation remains ongoing. A preliminary report cited by People found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, but officials have not released a cause of death.

Until officials release additional information, speculation about how Panettiere died remains unconfirmed.

A Lasting Legacy on American Television

Panettiere’s career covered more than three decades and included some of the most recognizable television and film franchises of the 2000s and 2010s.

For many viewers, she will remain closely associated with Claire Bennet from “Heroes,” Juliette Barnes from “Nashville” and Kirby Reed from the “Scream” franchise.

Her performances helped make her a recognizable figure across television, movies and music, while her work as a child actor established a career that continued well into adulthood.

At 36, Panettiere’s death marks the loss of an actress whose career began early, reached millions of American viewers and continued to evolve in the years leading up to her passing.