Her representative confirmed the news, while her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, announced her death in an emotional statement, describing his daughter as an extraordinary light who brought love and joy to those who knew her and to millions of viewers around the world. The family also asked the public and the media to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Panettiere died just five days before what would have been her 37th birthday. She was born on August 21, 1989.
The official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. While some reports have mentioned an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, authorities and her family have not released any confirmed details about what caused her passing.
Panettiere began her career at a very young age, appearing in commercials before moving into television and film. She gained worldwide recognition in 2006 for playing Claire Bennet in the hit series Heroes, portraying a teenage girl with the supernatural ability to heal herself.
She later achieved further success with her role as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville. Her performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations in 2013 and 2014 and also allowed her to showcase her singing talent.
Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, Scream 4, and Scream VI. She also worked as a voice actress in animated productions, including A Bug’s Life.
In May 2026, Panettiere released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she opened up about her life in the spotlight, motherhood, recovery, addiction, trauma, and personal loss.
She is survived by her daughter Kaya, whom she shares with former Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Her death comes three years after the passing of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at the age of 28.