Hayden Panettieres Final Hours: What She Did Before She Used to Be Found Unresponsive Miles from Home

On Saturday, Hayden Panettiere traveled from Los Angeles to South Carolina. Just a day later, she was declared dead in a rental home at the age of 36.

Recent accounts from witnesses, audio from dispatch calls, and new images provide insight into Hayden Panettiere’s last hours in Greenville, leaving one significant question unresolved: What led her to be there?

On Saturday, Hayden flew to South Carolina accompanied by her on-again, off-again partner, Brian Hickerson, as reported by TMZ.

She was staying at an Airbnb located in Judson Mill Lofts, confirmed by Page Six. A local resident mentioned that they hadn’t seen Hayden leave her unit after her arrival.

"Everyone in Greenville was shocked to learn she was here," the neighbor expressed to the press.

On Sunday at 1:51 p.m., a friend dialed 911 to report that Hayden was unresponsive and in cardiac arrest.

Emergency personnel immediately arrived and began attempts to revive her, including administering chest compressions and advanced cardiac life support.

A photo shared by TMZ on X depicted fire trucks and ambulances outside the complex, while another image showed a coroner’s vehicle parked in front of the same building.

One resident recalled that police had arrived at the property around noon.

The dispatch audio provided additional context about what responders were informed as they approached. The individual was referred to as an "unidentified female" experiencing "cardiac arrest."

Shortly thereafter, the audio indicated that CPR was underway due to a suspected "overdose," and medics were sent specifically to assist someone who had potentially overdosed.

These details reflect the information relayed during the emergency response, although an overdose had not yet been confirmed as Hayden’s official cause of death according to the reports available.

Despite resuscitation efforts, Hayden Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. Authorities noted there were no immediate indications of foul play, and her death did not initially appear suspicious.

The official cause and manner of death were expected to be determined by the coroner of Greenville County. A neighbor observed the ongoing emergency response from outside the apartment.

They noticed two men with the police who seemed shaken, stating, "They looked like they were in shock; they weren’t speaking and had their heads down."

According to the neighbor, police remained at Judson Mill Lofts until around 8 p.m.

The arrival of the coroner’s vehicle highlighted the seriousness of the situation. The resident commented, "When the coroner arrived, I knew there had been a death."

By the next morning, the neighbor had discovered the identity of the deceased. "I woke up to find out it was Hayden, and that was just shocking," they said.

Previous reports also included some of the initial public confirmations about her passing and the reflections she shared in the months leading up to it.

Hayden’s representative confirmed her death to ABC News, with the outlet stating that further details about the circumstances were not immediately available.

In the meantime, her father, Skip Panettiere, issued a public statement following his daughter’s untimely death.

"We are profoundly saddened to announce the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," he stated to ABC News. He described her as "an incredible light and a force of nature" who brought "immeasurable love and joy" to her loved ones and the millions who enjoyed her performances.

Skip also requested privacy for the family as they mourn this indescribable loss.

Throughout 2026, Hayden had been candidly discussing her life with significant openness. During an interview on May 15, she spoke about her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," with NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer.

Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Hayden traced her career back to infancy, revealing that she began modeling as a baby at just 8 months and filmed her first commercial at 11 months.

However, the focus of the interview was less on her career achievements and more on the personal toll that her childhood experiences had taken. She shared that she frequently felt trapped between the demands of an adult professional landscape and the childhood experiences she longed to have.

"I desperately wanted to fit in. That was my deepest desire," she recalled, expressing her longing for friendships with peers, school activities, and sports.

She also discussed the emotional toll of acting, noting that while she became known for her ability to cry on cue as a child, the mental places she had to access grew darker as she matured.

By the time she reached adulthood, she found it increasingly challenging to navigate her way in and out of intense emotional roles. Her experiences on "Nashville" proved particularly complex.

She mentioned that story arcs involving troubled family dynamics, postpartum depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction increasingly reflected her own struggles. "I began to blur the lines between where the character ended and I began," she explained.

In her final months, she also shared thoughtful insights about motherhood and her healing journey.

On May 26, she attended a book signing and panel event at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles related to her memoir, as reported by People.

During the discussion, Hayden mentioned how many individuals approached her after she spoke about mental health, telling her how her honesty had inspired them to seek help.

For Hayden, these interactions influenced her perspective on the legacy she wanted to leave behind. "I thought, This is worth it. I can hopefully make the world a better place," she shared.

In a July cover interview with parenting magazine Momé, Hayden opened up about her experiences in motherhood and the difficult choices she made for her daughter, Kaya.

She recounted Kaya’s life-threatening birth, her own struggles with postpartum depression, and the decision for her daughter to primarily live with her father, Wladimir Klitschko.

"I’ve prioritized her needs no matter what I’ve faced," Hayden expressed. She hoped that one day Kaya would understand her story and why she couldn’t always be present.

Hayden reflected on her own journey at the time of the interview, stating, "I’m a work in progress — we all are. I take life one day at a time. I’m putting in the effort and doing my best."

She concluded the interview with an encouraging message for fellow mothers experiencing tough times: "You’re stronger than you realize. You will be just fine."

In the weeks leading up to her death, Hayden posted what would become her last public Instagram update.

On July 27, she shared a black-and-white photo of herself smiling alongside photographer and director Randall Slavin. She tagged him and included a sparkle emoji, captioning it, "Good times and good friends."

After her death was announced, actress Selma Blair left several heartfelt comments on the post. "I love you. Don’t leave us. Please don’t go," Selma wrote.

In another comment, she referred to Hayden affectionately, stating, "whale tail my friend." She later added, "I’m devastated. Please stay here."

Randall also revisited the July 27 post, sharing the black-and-white image on his Instagram Story with the message, "Peace be with you, H."

Emme Rylan, known for her role in "Bring It On: All or Nothing," shared a separate Instagram Story featuring a black-and-white portrait of Hayden with the caption "1989-2026." She expressed her sorrow over Hayden’s passing and honored her as a "sweet soul."

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) also honored Hayden in an Instagram tribute, recognizing her long-standing membership since 1994.

"We join in mourning the abrupt loss of Hayden Panettiere. Starting her journey as a child actor, her extensive career in film and television encompassed notable roles in ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville,’ and more. Our condolences go out to her daughter, family, friends, and fans. May she rest in peace. 🕊️" the union stated.