Hayden Panettiere, best known for roles in the fourth and sixth installments of Scream, Nashville, and Heroes, tragically passed away at the age of 36 this past Sunday.

Her father, Skip Panettiere, has stated, “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.” It’s a heartbreaking moment, especially considering Hayden’s brother Jansen died of a cardiovascular condition in 2023.

Police reports have stated “no signs of foul play” or any signs of trauma, as reported by the coroner’s office in South Carolina.

Hayden began her acting career at age 5, working on projects such as One Life to Live and Guiding Light (the latter project also had her confront leukemia). Her first major role came when she voiced Princess Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, and her first released film was The Object of My Affection.

Her career continued for years to come, exploding with further recognition through roles as Claire Bennet in NBC’s Heroes, Ice Princess, Bring It On: All or Nothing, and Kirby Reed in Scream 4. Panettiere later earned two Golden Globe nominations for playing Juliette Barnes on Nashville, starring in 128 episodes. She would reprise her role as Kirby in Scream VI in 2023.

Panettiere has gone on record in her book, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” documenting the abuse she endured in Hollywood and troublesome relationships with her mother. She has also dealt with alcohol and drug abuse and gone on record about her mental health struggles, along with the dark side of Hollywood that she experienced at a young age. It’s an astute reminder that women (and anyone else) need to be heard and be shielded from any abuse or neglect in the Hollywood sphere, as folks have heard well-documented stories.

Hayden is survived by her daughter Kaya and her parents. May she rest in peace.