Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died at the age of 36, according to her family. Her death has shocked fans and fellow actors, particularly after the actress spent years speaking openly about the struggles she faced while growing up in Hollywood and dealing with addiction, trauma and mental health challenges.

Panettiere began her career as a child, appearing in commercials before becoming known for roles in One Life to Live, Guiding Light, Remember the Titans and A Bug’s Life. She rose to international fame as Claire Bennet on Heroes and later played Juliette Barnes on Nashville, earning Golden Globe nominations. She also returned as Kirby Reed in Scream VI in 2023.

Behind her successful career, Panettiere faced serious personal difficulties. She publicly discussed postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, struggles with alcohol and addiction, rehabilitation and domestic abuse. She also experienced the devastating loss of her younger brother, Jansen, in 2023. Earlier this year, she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, detailing many of the experiences that shaped her life and career.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office, according to the source, determined that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine, with her death classified as an accident. She was reportedly found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. Following the news, her family, friends and former co-stars paid tribute to the actress, remembering her as a talented performer whose life touched millions of people.