Former Hollywood Child Star Hayden Panettiere Has Died At Age 36 Under Unexplained Circumstances Being Investigated By The Police

August 17. 2026

Hayden Panettiere in 2009

Former Hollywood child star Hayden Panettiere has died. She was 36-years-old. Hayden was found dead in South Carolina. Hayden's publicist stated to NBC News regarding her untimely passing, "There's an investigation ongoing. We should know more tomorrow."

The Daily Mail reported regarding her tragic passing, "Her cause of death was not immediately clear. But law enforcement sources said that police responded to an incident involving the actress and that an investigation is ongoing."

Hayden Panettiere in 2024

It is also being reported that one day before her death, Hayden flew to South Carolina from Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and was complaining of back pain. Upon reading Hayden's online bio, in 2020 Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence incidents concerning her and was accused of witness intimidation.

Hayden is the former girlfriend of world champion boxer, Wladimir Klitschko, whom she dated on and off for several years. The former couple share an 11-year-old daughter, who lives with her dad in Ukraine. After giving birth to her daughter in 2015, Hayden began suffering from post partum depression. Shortly after she surrendered all custody rights to Klitschko.

Hayden Panettiere in 2024

Hayden began her career age age 11-months starring in a toy commercial. As a child Hayden was cast in television soap operas. She would go on to land roles in many other television shows and movies such as "Bring It On" "Heroes" and "A Bug's Life."

Hayden appeared in the film "Ice Princess" with another fellow child star, Michelle Trachtenberg, who died last year at age 39. Trachtenberg, like Hayden, struggled with drug addiction. Trachtenberg also suffered from alcoholism. She died from complications of a liver transplant.

Hayden's younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who was also an actor and child star, died in 2023 at age 28 of an enlarged heart. The siblings appeared in the Disney television movie "Tiger Cruise." She spoke about his death and with sadness.

Side Bar: I'm really sorry for Hayden's daughter. Losing her mom at age 11 is tough and a trauma. I hope she will get all the help and support she needs.

RELATED ARTICLES

Former Child Star Daveigh Chase Whom Diddy And Ashton Kutcher Made Inappropriate Sexual Comments And Gestures To When She Was An Underage Girl Dies Under Tragic Circumstances At Age 35

Amanda Bynes Slams Television Executive Dan Schneider For Raping And Impregnating Her When She Was 13-Years-Old

"Quiet On The Set" Documentary Blasts The Pedophile Culture At Hollywood Studio Nickelodeon (Video)

Former Child Star Daveigh Chase Died Of AIDS At Age 35