‘Scream’ Star Hayden Panettiere Found Dead as 911 Call Reports Cardiac Arrest

The entertainment world is still in shock following the tragic death of Hayden Panettiere, whose unexpected passing this weekend has left friends, colleagues, and fans searching for answers. As tributes flood in from across Hollywood, new information is gradually coming to light regarding the events leading up to her death.

Panettiere, who enjoyed a diverse career from child stardom to acclaimed television roles, was just days shy of her 37th birthday when the news of her death broke on Sunday, August 16. Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news, describing her as a radiant spirit who brought joy to everyone around her, though they did not disclose a cause of death.

Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, reported that police and EMS responded to a call about an unresponsive woman at Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road at 1:51 p.m. that Sunday. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene, and the initial 911 call indicated a woman in cardiac arrest, according to details obtained by TMZ.

A friend discovered Panettiere inside the South Carolina residence, as reported by TMZ, which cited sources familiar with the situation. Emergency responders treated the incident as a cardiac arrest, but the specific medical circumstances surrounding her death have not been publicly revealed.

Greenville Police informed local outlet WYFF4 that the preliminary investigation has shown no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances thus far. However, law enforcement sources confirmed that an open investigation into her death is ongoing, and Panettiere’s publicist, Kasey Kitchen, stated that more information is expected to be released in the coming days.

Further reports from TMZ indicate that Panettiere had flown from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her death with her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. A source close to the actress mentioned she had been experiencing back pain over the past year, although it remains uncertain if this is related to her passing.

Panettiere’s death follows the unexpected loss of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 28 due to an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications. She had openly discussed the guilt and grief she felt after his death in interviews and her recently published memoir, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning.’

In recent years, she was also candid about her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction after the birth of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. Her honesty about these challenges had defined a significant part of her recent public life, earning her praise from fans and colleagues alike for her courage.

The news of her passing has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media and within the industry, with colleagues from ‘Scream,’ ‘Heroes,’ and ‘Nashville’ sharing their memories of working with her. As investigators continue to piece together the circumstances of her final hours, many in Hollywood are reflecting on how much time has passed since Panettiere first became a household name as a child star.

As more details emerge about this heartbreaking situation, we will provide updates as they become available, and we encourage readers to share their memories of Hayden Panettiere in the comments.