Stars share emotional tributes after Hayden Panettiere's death: ‘Don't be gone. Please'

Hayden Panettiere’s costars, friends and peers are paying tribute to the late actress, who soared to fame as a cheerleader with superpowers in the TV show “Heroes” and won country music success playing a singer on “Nashville.”

Police in Greenville, South Carolina, said Panettiere was found unresponsive shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

No cause of death has been provided and police said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy. Her publicist, Kasey Kitchen, said Panettiere’s death was being investigated.

Panettiere had been open about her struggles with alcohol and postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. She stopped acting for several years before returning for “Scream VI” in 2023.

Her death at the age of 36 sent shockwaves through Hollywood.

Oscar winner Viola Davis, who appeared alongside Panettiere in the 2016 film “Custody,” called her an “old wise soul with such a deep heart.”

“What an amazing talent you were….so gifted,” Davis wrote in an Instagram Post. “Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name…”

Podcaster Jay Shetty, to whom Panettiere opened up earlier this year about the painful decision to give custody of her daughter, Kaya, to her ex-fiancé, was stunned over the news of her death.

“I can’t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year,” Shetty said of her appearance on his podcast “On Purpose with Jay Shetty.” “My love and condolences to her family and fans.” 

Actress Bethany Joy Lenz said she was “crushed” in a post on Instagram.

“I dont understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.” 

Selma Blair commented on Panettiere’s last Instagram post, writing: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.”

Panettiere’s “Scream 4” costar David Arquette wrote: “Sending my love to Hayden and her family. Such a brave and brilliant soul.” Melissa Barrera, who starred alongside Panettiere in “Scream VI,” wrote, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”

Beth Chamberlin, who played Panettiere’s mother on the soap opera “Guiding Light,” called her “the most brilliant child actor I’ve ever seen” and recalled her ability to “remember 20+ pages of dialogue, day after day. Even on days where the director would come out between dress and tape and make huge cuts to the scenes.”

See more tributes below:

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