Hayden Panettiere’s dad shares ‘profound sadness’ in heartbreaking statement as she dies aged 36

Actress Hayden Panettiere, who starred in countless iconic projects throughout her career, has died at the age of 36, her father has confirmed.

The actress had been working in TV and film since as early as 1994, when she played Sarah Roberts in the soap opera One Life to Live. She later had leading roles in Heroes and Nashville, amidst films like Scream, Ice Princess, A Bug’s Life, and I Love You, Beth Cooper.

Her representative confirmed the sad news to a number of news outlets, and her dad has since issued a heartbreaking statement. No cause of death has been revealed, and there are few details about the manner of her passing.

Credit: Dimension Films

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 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,” her dad, Skip Panettiere, said, asking for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Earlier this year, Hayden published a memoir titled This is Me: A Reckoning, which touched on her struggles with fame, depression, addiction and recovery, and life as a former child actress.

“Directors, fans, and Mom praised me endlessly for my over-the-top dramatic responses. Subconsciously, I began to associate catastrophe with adoration; people loved me because make-believe bad things happened to me,” she wrote.

Tributes are rolling in for Hayden Panettiere

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Already, people have flocked to Hayden Panettiere’s Instagram to share tributes to the late actress. Many seem to view her nostalgically.

“Oh Hayden was just watching a podcast where you shared your past and truth last month. Rest in peace angel,” one person said.

“And I just started watching HEROS on @netflix for the first time,” someone else said.

Another added: “You deserved an easier, more peaceful, and much, much longer life. Rest Easy.”

More information is expected to follow.

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