At approximately 1:51 p.m., emergency personnel and officers from the Greenville Police Department responded to the scene on Easley Bridge Road after receiving reports of a female suffering cardiac arrest.
Upon arrival, EMS personnel immediately administered life-saving assistance but were unsuccessful. The woman, later identified as Panettiere, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and police are investigating the death, and indicated an acquaintance of Panettiere placed the initial 911 call.
An autopsy has been completed, with authorities noting the examination did not reveal any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
The Epoch Times reached out to authorities for further information but did not hear back by publication time.
News of Panettiere’s death was first confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, in a statement provided to ABC News.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” read the statement. “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.”
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, whom she shared with her ex-fiancé and former Ukrainian professional boxer, Wladimir Klitschko.
Born in Palisades, New York, in 1989, Panettiere began working in the entertainment industry at a young age. One of her early prominent film roles came in the 2000 football drama “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington.
She became widely recognized for her role as Claire Bennet on the hit NBC series “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010, followed by her success on the ABC musical drama “Nashville” (2012-2018), which later aired on CMT.
His death left Panettiere with an immense level of grief, both emotionally and physically, which included agoraphobia and significant changes in her body that she attributed to the overwhelming stress of the loss.
