{"id":7884,"date":"2026-08-18T11:25:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T10:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/?p=7884"},"modified":"2026-08-18T11:32:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T10:32:35","slug":"melissa-barrera-honours-hayden-panettiere-after-scream-star-defended-her-firing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/2026\/08\/18\/melissa-barrera-honours-hayden-panettiere-after-scream-star-defended-her-firing\/","title":{"rendered":"Melissa Barrera honours Hayden Panettiere after Scream star defended her over ‘unfair’ firing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melissa Barrera is among the Scream cast members to pay tribute to Hayden Panettiere<\/a> following her death, with many franchise fans remembering Panettiere as one of the few co-stars to defend Barrera after her controversial firing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Panettiere was found unresponsive on Sunday, August 16, at a residence in Greenville\u2019s Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex. The Heroes star\u2019s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the news in a statement, asking for privacy \u201cas our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Greenville Police Department said its preliminary investigation \u201chas not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her death<\/a> remains under investigation alongside the Greenville County Coroner\u2019s Office, which released initial findings from an autopsy on Monday, stating there were no signs of physical trauma. The cause and manner of death are yet to be determined as further studies are being carried out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hayden
Credit: NBC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The news has sent shockwaves across the globe, with many co-stars and crew members<\/a> from her work on titles including Heroes and Nashville speaking out to share tributes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, her horror co-stars have honoured the late star, who played Kirby Reed in the 2011 film Scream 4 before reprising her role in the 2022 sequel Scream<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dewey star David Arquette shared the cover of Panettiere\u2019s May 2026 memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, writing, \u201cSending my love to Hayden and her family. She was such a brave and brilliant soul.\u201d Jill actor Emma Roberts shared, “Rest in peace my sweet friend. You are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter on screen with Panettiere, wrote on Instagram, \u201cRest in peace sweet Hayden.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d melissa wrote this to hayden panettiere \u2026 hayden was the one person who defend melissa through her whole ordeal. god this breaks my heart more \ud83d\udc94 pic.twitter.com\/CxIgmp4aCA<\/a><\/p>\n

— ZACH \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8 (@cozyplup) August 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n