Hayden Panettiere: Neutrogena makes shocking admission after star’s death

Days after Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death at 36, skincare brand Neutrogena has issued an apology for its treatment of the Hollywood actress, having allegedly dumped her as ambassador after she spoke about her mental health struggles.

Panettiere represented Neutrogena for more than a decade, but claimed in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning , that the company ended their partnership after she publicly discussed her experience with postpartum depression in 2015.

“Neutrogena cancelled my long-standing contract, and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else,” she wrote.

“I had postpartum depression, and it sucked. I wanted more than anything to get back to that place of happiness, but I didn’t even know where that place was anymore.”

Following Panettiere’s death and calls from her fans to boycott the brand, Neutrogena has acknowledged it made the actress feel unsupported during one of the most difficult periods of her life.

“We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere’s passing,” the company said.

“For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community. We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time.

The company also announced it would invest in a longstanding community health partner to help more women access support, including care for postpartum depression.

“Hayden’s courage in sharing her challenges helped inspire important conversations and awareness,” it said.

“Out of respect for Hayden’s family and loved ones, we did not want to speak out so soon following her passing. Everyone at Neutrogena extends their deepest condolences to Hayden’s family and all who loved her.”

The investigation into Panettiere’s death continues and no official cause or manner of death has been released.

Panettiere spent the final months of her life reclaiming her story through her deeply personal memoir , speaking candidly about addiction, abuse, motherhood and the difficult relationships that shaped her life.

An increasingly emotional and contested picture of her life and final days is emerging.

The developments come as US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the investigation into her death, while Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson has responded to her death through his lawyer.