The American performer Hayden Panettiere, recognised for her work in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream series, has passed away aged 36.
A spokesperson for the star verified the information to American broadcaster ABC on Sunday August 16.
Her father Skip Panettiere referred to her as an extraordinary presence and a dynamic spirit.
In his commemorative statement, Mr Panettiere expressed that the family was deeply devastated to announce the untimely death of their cherished Hayden.
He described her as an extraordinary presence and a dynamic spirit who brought boundless affection and happiness to everyone around her and to the millions who followed her career on screen.
No details regarding the cause of death have been made public, and the family has asked for space while they come to terms with this devastating event.
Panettiere launched her entertainment career as a young performer, debuting in daytime television dramas before achieving broader recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember The Titans opposite Denzel Washington.
She also provided the voice for the character Dot in Pixar’s 1998 animated feature A Bug’s Life.
Her global breakthrough came with the role of Claire Bennet in the superhero series Heroes, and she subsequently took on the part of Juliette Barnes in the country music drama Nashville.
Her work on Nashville resulted in two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress, and the music she recorded for the programme generated 11 entries on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Additional film credits for Panettiere included Bring It On: All Or Nothing and Raising Helen.
She also portrayed the character Kirby Reed in two entries of the Scream horror series, Scream 4 and Scream VI.
Panettiere was candid about her personal challenges, acknowledging that she dealt with substance dependency throughout her twenties.
In a memoir released earlier this year, she addressed her mental health difficulties, the passing of her younger brother Jansen, and her choice to transfer full parental responsibility for her daughter Kyra to her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018.
During a podcast conversation with Jay Shetty, she responded to how the public perceived her choices.
Ms Panettiere stated that the notion anyone would believe she could simply surrender her child and find peace with it was devastating and completely inaccurate.
She clarified that Kyra had resided primarily with her father from an early age because of her battles with addiction and mental health issues.
She explained that she was dealing with mental health concerns and anxiety alongside postpartum challenges while having to perform professionally, leaving her feeling entirely disconnected from herself.
The performers’ union SAG-AFTRA released a memorial on social media.
In a statement posted on X, the organisation expressed sorrow over the sudden death of Hayden Panettiere.
They noted that beginning as a child performer, Hayden enjoyed an extensive career in television and film featuring notable performances in Heroes, Nashville and additional productions.
They extended their thoughts to her daughter, family, companions, and admirers.