Tributes flow online for incredible light Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere, star of Heroes , Nashville , and the Scream franchise , has died aged 36.

Announced by CBS News , the actor passed away on Monday.

According to the news outlet, "an investigation is ongoing" into Panettiere's death, with no further information at this stage.

Tributes to Panettiere are pouring in from family, friends, co-stars, celebrities, and fans.

In a statement given to CBS News through a publicist, her father Skip Panettiere paid tribute to his daughter.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," his statement reads.

"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.

We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss." New York-raised Panettiere's screen career spanned decades, from TV roles in soap opera One Life to Live at four years old to her celebrated performance as high school cheerleader Claire on Heroes and her Golden Globe-nominated role as country music star Juliette Barnes on Nashville.

In film, Panettiere was well-known for her Scream character Kirby Reed, as well as roles in Remember the Titans , Custody , Bring It On: All or Nothing , and Raising Helen .

And she also gained fame for her voice acting in video games Until Dawn and Kingdom Hearts .

Panetierre detailed her life in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning , released in May 2026.

She is survived by her daughter, Kaya.

Hayden Panettiere in "Nashville," for which she gained two Golden Globe nominations.

Credit: Mark Levine / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Beneath Panetierre's final Instagram post , friends and fans are posting messages of grief and shock at the actor's passing, including actor Selma Blair, who wrote, "I love you.