Source : the age
No foul play is suspected in the death of American actor Hayden Panettiere, police said, as emergency dispatch audio published by several US outlets indicated the star was in cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose.
The 36-year-old died at her South Carolina home on Monday (AEST).
Best known for her roles in TV shows Heroes and Nashville, her death was confirmed by her father Skip Panettiere, in a statement to US media.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “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.”
Early on Tuesday morning (AEST) Greenville Police said in a statement that emergency services had been called to her home at 1.51pm on Sunday after she was found to be unresponsive by a friend.
Medical assistance was given, however she was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” police said in the statement.
The case is under investigation by the police department and the Greenville Country Coroner’s Office.
US outlet People reported that emergency workers were heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” in dispatch audio obtained by the publication and other outlets including TMZ.
Panettiere died just a few days before her 37th birthday. She began her career at the age of four, with a role in the soap opera One Life to Live as Sarah Roberts. She was perhaps best recognised as Claire Bennet in the popular sci-fi series Heroes, and as Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
She also had various film roles including in Remember the Titans and Scream 4.
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Chris Hook is Culture News Editor Sydney for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
