Hayden Panettiere’s father was reportedly beginning to rebuild his life after losing his son when another devastating call came.
Alan “Skip” Panettiere is now mourning the death of his daughter, who died Sunday, August 16, 2026, at age 36. Neighbors in his close Rockland County, New York, community said he had struggled deeply after his son Jansen died three years earlier.
Neighbors Describe a Father Facing Fresh Grief
One community member told the New York Post that Skip had withdrawn after Jansen’s death. Another neighbor said he finally appeared to be recovering before Hayden died.
Vittorio Lanni, a restaurant owner near Skip’s Piermont home, described him as a supportive and well-known member of the neighborhood. Lanni said Hayden had visited the area and eaten at his restaurants while spending time with her father.
Hayden reportedly visited Skip about one month before her death. She previously said that living with her father and stepmother helped her feel grounded and reminded her of who she was.
Skip Panettiere Confirms His Daughter’s Death
Skip confirmed Hayden’s death in a statement released through her representative. He described his daughter as an incredible light who brought love and joy to her family and millions of television viewers.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement said.
Emergency personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman in Greenville, South Carolina, at about 1:50 p.m. Police said medical assistance was provided, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Greenville Police Department told People that its preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Cause of Death Remains Undetermined
Some reports have cited emergency dispatch audio that referred to a possible overdose and cardiac arrest. However, police and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office have not announced an official cause or manner of death.
A dispatch description does not represent a medical finding. The final determination will depend on the coroner’s investigation and any completed medical tests.
Panettiere had publicly discussed previous struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction. Those past struggles do not establish what caused her death, and authorities have urged the public to wait for confirmed findings.
Family Previously Lost Jansen Panettiere
Jansen Panettiere died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28. His family later said a medical examiner determined that he died from an enlarged heart and complications involving an aortic valve.
The condition had not been diagnosed before his death. The family remembered Jansen as a warm and creative person known for his acting and artwork.
Hayden later spoke openly about the grief and guilt she carried after losing her younger brother. In a May 2026 interview, she said she missed him constantly and never expected to live without him.
“I miss him all the time,” she told E News.
A Career That Began During Infancy
Hayden Panettiere started appearing in commercials before her first birthday. She later earned roles in “One Life to Live,” “Guiding Light” and the film “Remember the Titans.”
She became widely known as Claire Bennet in the television series “Heroes,” which premiered in 2006. She later played country singer Juliette Barnes in “Nashville,” earning two Golden Globe nominations.
Three months before her death, Panettiere released the memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” The book explored her experiences with childhood fame, addiction, postpartum depression and personal trauma.
Her death has left Skip Panettiere facing the loss of both of his children within three years. As the investigation continues, his neighbors and the family have asked the public to respect their grief and privacy.